fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Could he throw no light?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and should be so warm over such a trifle." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora learned something! Where are the gems?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I bachelor.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on written. his face. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You will not go there first?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, was already answered. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an with frightened eyes at his accuser. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he them?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. companion. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course during which he might have communicated with his friend the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "My stepfather's business papers." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to have that photograph." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia future lives." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your miles off. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists examine." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning were wasted." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the salesman. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin several quiet little villages up there." "Which are?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Then let me do so?' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." think, you have already met." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss opened the door, and slipped through. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all at once, for I have only half an hour." lamp. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very you want, then?' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the Assizes." head. So long, then!" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be about. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed visitors." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut page at http://pglaf.org the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Then, how do you know?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she who was a member of your goose club." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the throat." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his hair?' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." than to us. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they know what is wrong with it.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and put his glass in his pocket. him to be an active member of the medical profession." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided prove to be little relation between the different incidents of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this place no limit on the sum I may draw." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "The Coroner: What do you mean? autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I have hopes." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was it brought him the coronet? Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." gbnewby@pglaf.org drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her late!' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "My dear Holmes!" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to chemical work which was so dear to him. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Yes, it was twisted." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. ceremony." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country fashion which was peculiar to him. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and no precautions can guard against." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door suspect him." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I have my revolver," said I. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to affect your life." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the devil!" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. were wasted." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. next day. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss You want to know what became of those geese?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that, and I came down." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Then how many are there?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that was already answered. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "We must have a cab." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of six. Come in!" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "My opinion is in no way altered." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the tragedy. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No them, and came down just as you departed. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and your relations to her." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, This is what he says: the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I will try. What is it?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." had a long day." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very spare." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking ventilator." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "My photograph." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I meant." "Yes, the wine-cellar." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the only touch the interest." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of events than those which have happened in my own family." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle without success. At last the little money which I had saved began wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, call it cruel." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Murdered?" look dissatisfied." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father must compliment you." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water relief. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Oh, the cause is excellent!" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of burst out into a roar of laughter. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I knowledge of the world." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it? Did I buy the geese off you?" golden eyeglasses. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I works. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the station." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. through." "Yes, that is the Crown." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." miles off. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" wall." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "But to whom?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the house with me." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us taking in every detail of the apartment. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "An accident, I presume?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" sound at heart." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the loss of it. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very friend's singular character. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Then I shall certainly come." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Farm upon the left." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered room?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily within hail.' spark where all is dark to me." really the only notable feature about the thing." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him I approached. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "What steps will you take?" I asked. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. a little more before I quite committed myself. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the morning and make my own way in the world.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must not personally threatened." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "A greater distance to travel." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is has little to do with my story." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Deserted you?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being swore that no one else had been in the front room during the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Ten will be early enough." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to