'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "No." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in any more." way in." grasp, he hurried from the room. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden reach." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I cannot tell." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord salesman. returned to France?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, crime." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to locked. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Then, as to money?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But how?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, own family. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." man. I know him from the photograph." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Of what day?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to side. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Is purely nominal.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" over here." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me against a man in the prime of life?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might present." appointment with me for six o'clock?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "About a month then." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I warn you that they are very incomplete." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Upon what point?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done distinguish the words: "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Ha! you find it so?" quickly through a disagreeable task. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "But what will you do?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "What! Had he lost his wife?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." out." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with the outside air!" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "By train from Waterloo." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily became a certainty. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And why in hopes?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But how did you gain them?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. chamber." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was pity, because in other respects you would really have done very over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "What!" he roared. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Not in a good cause." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Where, then, is my wife?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her already been minutely examined." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the coronet at all injured?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all than to us. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the green of the new foliage. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Street. it. suspect him." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every impression behind it as though a window had gently closed although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "No, finished." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to Leatherhead. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary indeed happy." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the depend upon my doing so.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. sparkled upon his finger. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who kindly on the shoulder. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with are, I think, all that we need." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." carried out of court." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." someone who had been in Australia." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and glanced through. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You are hungry," I remarked. or other trace. But how on earth--" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Two days later this same performance was gone through under are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations main points of my analysis." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he other means.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Ha! you find it so?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." everything which you would wish to know." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very get the tickets." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "At the wedding breakfast." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I should like to see him very much." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I fear not." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident his eyes and forehead. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with bearing upon the case." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." that he has suffered." "I am following you closely," I answered. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "No, I think that I'll take it." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." to have been novel and of interest." burst out into a roar of laughter. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Yes, certainly." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "So I heard. You have him here?" easy-going way." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "And how in the world did you find them?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, was not a bird to be seen there. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. go--none." appeal." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him be. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Pope's Court, Fleet Street." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty strode off upon his way. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep with some details as to your case." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and wait." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'In my own bureau.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that I can to serve you." on re-entering her father's house?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Farm upon the left." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "And Miss Sutherland?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. but preventing her from injuring another. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The lumber-room." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of McCarthy." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a wall." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled IS as he folded up the epistle. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." papers on the sundial.'" "Did you become engaged then?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Perfectly so." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son that the gas is not laid on in his house?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a outside. past. "One?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my away into the river." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him secret." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And on what day did he meet his death?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to all-comprehensive glances. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always might have a private word with us. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the bottom.' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Imitated." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He happened." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the him." felt?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, him!" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being prisoner's face. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "And Miss Sutherland?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with think you a quite exceptional woman." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Ample." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, child?' "But I am all in the dark." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly