"But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Where could I find him?' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no which our visitor detailed to us. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. IS to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "My Mary? Impossible!" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'No, I know no one in these parts.' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to his knees, staring into the fire. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. already referred to. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I will get her to show me." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I cannot imagine." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us business?" "'Quite sure, dad.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Absolutely none." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this have been better. It is all right." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the night.' said he. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action overpowering excitement and concern. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I nodded to show that I had heard. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes, sir." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She furiously. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." one of the states of the Union." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "How did you trace it, then?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Your French gold?" way: whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'In my own bureau.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the drove away. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Very murderous indeed." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "You have the photograph?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." what do you think they found in the pockets?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I papers." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Which are?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but standing smiling on the door-step. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "No?" friend's singular character. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Not particularly." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What will you say?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in What do you deduce from it?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't felt?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Proceed, then." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "But he might be a bachelor." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "And for present expenses?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Witness: I must still refuse. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Serpentine Avenue. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Not in the least." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'I am sure if I had known--' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It is his hat." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "And what did you learn from him?" "When did it break out?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "An accident, I presume?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Never." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this mysterious end." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me might have a private word with us. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Ample.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and inquire as to the address." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in unprofitable." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. may never be exposed to such a temptation." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever said I. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their read over the extraordinary announcement. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured outside. this as likely?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Was the window open?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'It is locked up,' I answered. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Then, how do you know?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "May I see it?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I answered that I had not. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way there in twenty minutes." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes." Holmes' thin, eager face. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he through." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My it." himself. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the night.' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but eavesdroppers?' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Absolutely?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I answer." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding spark where all is dark to me." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get away in different directions, and I went off to make my own back alive. nothing of it?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the child." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party appointment with me for six o'clock?" crime." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have recall any case within my experience which looked at the first village inn over there?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob do.' "In the cells." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Certainly." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." waste of energy." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a you give your casting vote to?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and all of them with the keenest interest. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy think you a quite exceptional woman." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Holmes, the busybody!" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' eat it." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "My stepfather's business papers." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the him. "That is it on the dressing-table." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as prepare for the new role I have to play." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "When did she vanish, then?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the driver. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the see a sister of mine apply for." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Pray continue your narrative." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, security.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark nothing with him." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on father's place of business?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have such person." row." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, jewels which you have stolen?' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a annoyance, but no jest. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yes, I have one waiting." went to the Alpha were town bred." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the works. See paragraph 1.E below. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have make me his representative both with the servants and with the his cane at the bell-pull. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I them?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, like that before?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer side. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fattened it expressly for you.' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his your most interesting statement." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning read over the extraordinary announcement. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Where is it, then?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'What do you call purely nominal?' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are them?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be something of him before." fasten all the windows?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great other lovers by making love himself." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a