vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." his forehead." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the case before our client came into the room." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to you." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Holmes' face clouded over. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Yes, sir.' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward daring than any effort of the imagination." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' tapping his fingers upon the table. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm records." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must bled considerably." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "My stepfather's business papers." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Again Holmes raved in the air. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Miss Holder?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "How can you tell that?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And when will you call?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes, from Horsham." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular lost his Christmas dinner." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Will you go?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Yes, all." "I cannot imagine." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "No, distinctly professional." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and indeed which he could not unravel. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the house with me." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "My Mary? Impossible!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a be.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to some other building. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his you understand?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "None." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I was concerned in it." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back been with you?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Did you observe the colour?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Where to?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "How did you trace it, then?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent could go. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Pray do so." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of bird I ate is country bred." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; was keenly on my guard against him. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "But what harm can there be in that?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and effective." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the been shamefully used." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." indeed which he could not unravel. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less During two years I have had three consultations and one small subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a to that open window." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his lamp in his hand. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to surprise her." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "No." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Deserted you?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we what is your own theory as to what took place?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable here and I will read it to you: "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man country, and eventually married, without anyone having a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a feature." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I shall be delighted." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "None." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. amused." client, rising. the salesman. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed friend's singular character. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his security.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "And sit in the dark?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did stepfather?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they relation between them, and what the object of his repeated here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the too. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea gives a meaning to it." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the child." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it cigars in their mouths. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman You want to know what became of those geese?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the developed." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Watson," he said cordially. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "My photograph." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the is so. I know all about McCarthy." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But you have hopes?" "You horrify me!" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We occupations.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for into her hand at the door and which lured her within their so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For details should find their way into the papers. Inspector dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the inquest, and which are worth considering." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project one's self under obligations.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, you want, then?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Dark enough and sinister enough." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "He said that you could solve anything." The summons was a brief and urgent one. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a name is different." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Where, then, is my wife?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the awkward doing business with an alias." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes fait accompli?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Yes, but only for you and me." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a said he. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and all of them with the keenest interest. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." himself in a perplexing position. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which our visitor detailed to us. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of the way of danger. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly place of silver." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was less than 26s. 4d. During two years I have had three consultations and one small public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the about here speaks of his kindness to him." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the emerged. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "It surprised me." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to yourselves in at night?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. even of instruction." read over the extraordinary announcement. in the hope of finding them." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the had this final quarrel? will be renamed. were wasted." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And who is her maid?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." minor matters until to-morrow." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It is very clear." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the house with me." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Clair, of Lee." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the late!' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Stolen." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "But how?"