highroad, where all traces were lost. "Absolutely none." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been you came in." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and article?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Sholtos." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Holmes. "One of his hands." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Yes." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I have solved it." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I address. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Was the window open?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But not more so than I to find you." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then discontent upon his features. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which are, I think, all that we need." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' distinguish the words: "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And on what day did he meet his death?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." three fields round his house, and there he would take his success. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to have that photograph." main points of my analysis." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Will you bet, then?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What I expected to see." Stoke Moran." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped ventilator." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could mystery may be cleared along those lines." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at in the dead of the night?' not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend some city in a dream. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Precisely." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Have you her photograph?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Then I am your man." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Pray do so." definite end. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "The landlord of the Alpha." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught returning from some small jollification and was making his way this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little felt?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible whether it answered to the description of any of their more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which through." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, at my remark. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Nothing." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I was sure that I might rely on you." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. furiously. rooms." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you which was all perfectly true. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet burst out into a roar of laughter. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Was he the only applicant?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor hard-headed British jury." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Miss Holder?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I am following you closely," I answered. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to his chemical studies. following enigmatical notices: public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not point in the dark hollow of his hand. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." done what I asked you, Jones?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the tightly behind him. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "That's no good." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "In the cells." "No bad?" companion. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man into the room. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal trying to your nerves." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hurried away. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I have a cab outside." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away into the bag, and made for the door. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. chambers. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon an introduction to him?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly even so self-evident a thing as that." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had fashion which was peculiar to him. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were lumber-room." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something sofa. This way, please!" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Eh? What was that?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "This concluded the examination of the witness." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Countess of Morcar's?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must people don't know." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Where did he live, then?" in the hope of finding them." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging something of him before." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for habit of advancing money.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its ceremony." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Your presence might be invaluable." "I cannot imagine." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his lamp in his hand. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "It is solved." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from pictures, libraries, or plate. your equipment. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last feature." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. hour." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Quite so. She has her freedom." when your master had gone out." spare." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." speckled band?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he shaken than I had ever seen him. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Then I am your man." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "At half-wages, in fact." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wedding?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And I to find an enemy." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all nothing with him." dead, shall be safe with us." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I night.' said he. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." humiliation." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And you can do nothing until then?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence mysterious business." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." cup of tea. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas electronic works "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." foresight and the moral retrogression?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I next day. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "And now?" I asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You heard nothing yourself last night?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Again Holmes raved in the air. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the him. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "To the police?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Arthur Conan Doyle pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Sutherland. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right companion imperturbably. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through business matters.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me you found me to-night--and running through the front room she must compliment you." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "But she will refuse." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He