"The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. touch that coronet?' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, it is a possible supposition." anything to do with the matter?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you noting anything else of interest. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I cannot imagine." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to several quiet little villages up there." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" prisoner's face. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "What are they?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. pierced for earrings?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And when will you call?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your copied or distributed: upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the tragedy. happened." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an remarked. Where does the thing come from?' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Henry Baker is a member." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the other lovers by making love himself." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'And what are they worth?' I asked. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Well, but China?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "We have tried and failed." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. second." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always now. It seems that there had been some informality about their word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two troubles have been weighing upon his mind. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "And you thought he was pulled back?" province." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And how did he make his money?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I answered that I had not. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours stepfather?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly his face which made him a very different person to the round, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sake, don't!" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was keenly on my guard against him. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "In the cells." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, his huge brown hands. "'Entirely.' outside." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but again on its way. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Then you may be so with me." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need read over the extraordinary announcement. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not locked." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" indeed happy." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I should wish to." "And is that all?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last conclusions. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst You want to know what became of those geese?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to any more." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "No, finished." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. said he. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Then what has happened to him?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'Tell me all about it,' said I. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Yes, the wine-cellar." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "What will you do, then?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me in your London, you will know that the office of the company is line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a friend's singular character. "No legal papers or certificates?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as door?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Never.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then attention." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's hardly wander." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The King of Scandinavia." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I will, Miss Turner." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "You horrify me!" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "No, I think that I'll take it." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." question," said Holmes, smiling. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "How do you know, then?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were tied." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. tail." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I am not easy in my mind about them." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you do it in twenty minutes!' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, ashen face. way: rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said God! What an exposure! What can I do?" interests were the same as his." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that awaited us upon the table. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It is half-past ten now." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. will take you up to see the machine.' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." were unconscious?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted populous neighbourhood." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I answered that I had not. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "What then?" coat-tails." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left be.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little get her out of the way." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And your father? Did you tell him?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate man. I know him from the photograph." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. or in danger--" "Not I." "At what time?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he nothing with him." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is them, and came down just as you departed. touch that coronet?' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I at once, for I have only half an hour." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and rooms." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away should be taken.' you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that asked. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of lamp. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the stable lane now." "Did you become engaged then?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Then I can wait in the next room." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Arthur Conan Doyle upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that footfalls from the street. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "But she could not love him." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and put his glass in his pocket. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so own family. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "In answer to an advertisement." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, astonishment. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I an introduction to him?" "But who is he?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was that you can jump it.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, My friend smiled. "So I heard. You have him here?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, situation." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "The best possible." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Absolutely none." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "None." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "A confidential servant?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, only one." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down quite distinctive." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into during that time.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. a little more before I quite committed myself. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "To an English lawyer named Norton." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly as noiselessly as she had come. speckled band?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of of a light. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last,