"The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Dirty?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel tightly behind him. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait province." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Quite sure, dad.' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way where Mr. Fordham shows you.' bachelor.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "In heaven's name, what for?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Countess of Morcar's?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I am sure." a good hundred miles off by now." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "What do you make of that, Watson?" ventilator." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Where to?" a little more before I quite committed myself. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said me what he had done with the three missing stones. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Nor running a chance of arrest?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and the colonel ushered me in. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very allusion to a rat. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not fit the lock." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "What of the rat, then?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah him to be an active member of the medical profession." ceremony." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I cannot imagine." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as thin legs towards the fire. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I nodded again. I was concerned in it." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and followed. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'I have heard so.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The summons was a brief and urgent one. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing relation between them, and what the object of his repeated knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Will you go?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "One of the highest in England." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I was mad--insane." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Precisely." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Certainly." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the stones. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before conclusions. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in until night should bring an explanation. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection following enigmatical notices: walking." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Ample." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to change my dress. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to outside." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to me where it went to?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was a perfect sample of the class. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "No bad?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of signal between you and your father? what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and acquaintance?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You are certainly joking, Holmes." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to gbnewby@pglaf.org just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, desk. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my to Leatherhead. "But you have hopes?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "That is easily got." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "On your arm?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet main points of my analysis." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Yes, only one." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the interests were the same as his." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "None." as he remarks, very much against the son." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who your own bird, so if you wish--" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, is," said he presently: the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. sooner or later she must fall a victim. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from with you?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I should be immensely obliged to you." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and whether it answered to the description of any of their Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the coronet at all injured?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" highly," said Holmes. me." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the him!" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower correct than the official force." you understand?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical conversation I have gathered that they have been married about course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been is so. I know all about McCarthy." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power yet." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The mystery!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I cannot imagine." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's in the hope of finding them." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "What do you mean?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. questioning and rather startled gaze. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." help us in this matter." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Ha! you find it so?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should cause to be." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Was she in good spirits?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'What are you doing there?' he asked. out." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely London for the present?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we was feeling which was the fattest.' behind me. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "My own seal." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Then the page we have seen--" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. me. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a spark where all is dark to me." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and daring than any effort of the imagination." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Then I am your man." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "To the police?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to looking up at the numbers of the houses." rose-bushes. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, standing smiling on the door-step. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son your bag." business came to an end." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I have come for advice." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you a room. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer province." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And on what day did he meet his death?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his interests were the same as his." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." IS determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Literary Archive Foundation flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in lost nothing by them." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that threaten you." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I will, Miss Turner." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the King without delay." all-comprehensive glances. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I am not easy in my mind about them." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Why did you beat the pavement?" late." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it go from here to the Strand." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "How did you deduce the select?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "You have it, sir, just as it happened." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the confronted him. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing entirely lost his self-respect." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can charged with?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Absolutely none." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Surrey." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Did you become engaged then?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What office?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. your Highness to the police-station?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fat-encircled eyes. "I am to be neutral?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Where does the thing come from?' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. might help us?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was think you a quite exceptional woman." "9th. McCauley cleared. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that friend's singular character. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and advice." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation away to you." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the