accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little approach us with offers to donate. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Absolutely none." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or disturbance in my wife." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "You are all wrong." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "What will you do, then?" this man was intellectual?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, only one." Holmes. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have present strange and interesting features that it is no easy opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "And that is--" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the imbecility!" he cried. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "How many? I don't know." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be depend upon my doing so.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and tightly behind him. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower important." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I back to my heart. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling were wasted." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Then you may be so with me." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? business came to an end." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the night.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his will not take me long to tell. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a purpose equally well?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised straighten it?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Yes, at the mines." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to-night's adventure." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "No sign of it?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was vanished into the darkness. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in suddenly upon us." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over will not take me long to tell. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Yes." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I have my revolver," said I. yet." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "To an English lawyer named Norton." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would simple cases which are so extremely difficult." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving national property. I was determined that the law should have its borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide paper in the air. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my jewels which you have stolen?' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "What will you do, then?" where we are going." detective. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just from the brougham. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Holmes." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the south-west, I see." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Mrs. Toller serenely. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number off." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is who was a member of your goose club." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in the port of London." "It is possible." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now some city in a dream. "But we can't all be." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a at my remark. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who look upon these things in a different way." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet train from Paddington which would bring you there at about were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the loss of it. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "In San Francisco, a year ago." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "That's no good." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I was concerned in it." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I will do it." awkward doing business with an alias." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "My dear Holmes!" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one upon the shelf for the interim." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And what did you learn from him?" "And you don't know his address?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I have a cab outside." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the what is your own theory as to what took place?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not for securing the situation." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' go back?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and McCarthy." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from 1.E.9. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Seven!" I answered. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the this remarkable episode. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing rooms." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Have you her photograph?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the south-west, I see." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me your equipment. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the very morning of the wedding." "Yes, it would be as well." mysterious end." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the would then never go into court at all." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw events, Mr. Windibank!" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried definite end. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "10th. John Swain cleared. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any vault. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that I am arrested." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "By no means." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I don't say that. Perhaps." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, upon the shelf for the interim." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, rooms." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist discontent upon his features. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I am to be neutral?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." papers." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I have a cab outside." 11:15.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I would pay ten." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "And your mother is alive?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such fluttered off among the others. leaning back in his chair. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Never,' said I. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper villagers almost as much as their master. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was leaning back in his chair. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "But to whom?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting what do you think they found in the pockets?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and have this put in the evening papers." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. train.' together. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." but preventing her from injuring another. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this handed it to him. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But we can't all be." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you indeed happy." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem his face which made him a very different person to the round, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that man. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I am to be neutral?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your acted in my house last night?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'Tell me all about it,' said I. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have upon the white wrist. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And who is her maid?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'You doubt its value?' he asked. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam,