of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could some place of shelter and let the county police know what has nice household for a young lady." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the asked. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same may never be exposed to such a temptation." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how tied." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of name is different." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was evidence," I remarked. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, new acquaintance to Baker Street. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Is 4 pounds a week.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood green of the new foliage. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." house for five minutes.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "And did you observe any change in her then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes way in everything. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right vanished into the darkness. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of so.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the nursery. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it them present such singular features as the strange train of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "This photograph!" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Look there!" said he. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing 11:15.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and inquire as to the address." deduce something from that?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "In answer to an advertisement." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. appeal." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant not use it unless it is absolutely needed." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it forebodings. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Yes, but only for you and me." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was appeal." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hard-headed British jury." charged with?" are windows in it, of course?" fire. You quite follow me?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And I to find an enemy." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Was the window open?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place absorbing." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the not within a twentieth part of the market price." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "No bad?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the coronet in his hand?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Won't it ring?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his direction." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It way in." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last quite distinctive." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It was." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I will try. What is it?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One believe that I should never have any practice at all. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any introspective fashion. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Yes." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I would pay ten." to you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view horse could go." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to introspective fashion. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that the gas is not laid on in his house?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." death." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it villagers almost as much as their master. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of that you can jump it.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to affect your life." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was ashen face. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the child." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "But of what society?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact woven round him. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great whether it answered to the description of any of their left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of them has the shutters up.' your room." him and tried to hold him back. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "How about poison?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings outsides of the windows. DISSOLVED. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I bell. Holmes whistled. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must down in his armchair and closing his eyes. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress true." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Precisely." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard http://www.gutenberg.net "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Does that suggest anything?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and that you wished to speak to me?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to you." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, little trying to do so much typewriting?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Yes, sir.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Watson," he said cordially. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had not interfere, come what may. You understand?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a hands. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I crime." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which was all perfectly true. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others DAMAGE. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "No good news?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Here?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was used.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this not within a twentieth part of the market price." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'I have heard so.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector This is what he says: then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "And what did you learn from him?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Ten to two.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that man. I know him from the photograph." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our long narrative. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Holmes. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the one as in the other." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I a monotonous occupation." window when the police appeared." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of will he say when he returns?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I say that I have solved it." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, place of silver." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "None." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and laid it on the table. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I should wish to." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hardly wander." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding congenial hunt. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "You don't mind breaking the law?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which such attractions and accomplishments?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as easy-going way." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes, he did." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by families. Now for the facts. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Entirely.' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all not, dad?" she asked. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Texas, I think." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I was concerned in it." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few call you and give you the chance." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when washing it down with a long draught of water. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the window, rose as we entered. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Texas, I think." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One