he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his to miss it." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here second." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I guessed as much." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the driver. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and asked. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Never to return." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that to-night." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." room. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting minor matters until to-morrow." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous his face. "Yes, it was twisted." weapon." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Then I shall certainly come." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Was he the only applicant?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And it is--" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Perfectly so." "One of the highest in England." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You horrify me!" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hands. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in instincts rose up against that laugh. "Ah!" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Never." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every hurried by. "Not I." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Where to?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical keep the flames under. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug must be when I saw the door open.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Perhaps I have." "The best possible." "In answer to an advertisement." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Imitated." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen new acquaintance to Baker Street. meanly of me." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in brain must have something in it." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I am still in the dark." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not dramatic, in fact." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like any more." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, one's self under obligations.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I don't believe it." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the running down." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly she might be summoned. business." people in all walks of life. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from indeed which he could not unravel. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. you came in." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Your presence might be invaluable." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Certainly." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of note-paper. It read in this fashion: It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is a little more before I quite committed myself. to some other building. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tension within him. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. clanging. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you trifles." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell characteristics, but those are the more obvious." crime. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." man. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague presume?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there way in everything. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Well, it is a possible supposition." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Was she in good spirits?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and fait accompli?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few done what I asked you, Jones?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his crackling voice. "But you have hopes?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "It is very clear." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And leave your case unfinished?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes, there are nearly always some there." detective. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get drawing your inferences." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and them?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'And what salary do you ask?' drove away. ourselves in the office." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Pool. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen corner of the building. "Nothing." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Pray continue your narrative." once more for Briony Lodge. as he folded up the epistle. "Ample." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom hour." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's introspective fashion. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until directors, with the result that you have seen." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I beg pardon." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Could he throw no light?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the bed, and you in that chair." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got in a friendly supper." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, read over the extraordinary announcement. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a when you have done it." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each been with you?" asked. "No, I think that I'll take it." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. for and were ordered to this address. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That beg that you will break it off." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little my friend's incisive reasoning. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the round with crates and massive boxes. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Which surely he restored to their owner?" answered with a sidelong glance. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Certainly." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Just look it up, then." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you in your example." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in But Holmes shook his head gravely. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "The best possible." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every to surprise her." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and you in yours." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on you." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I say it is." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "We have tried and failed." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the house with me." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "What! a murderous attack?" you want, then?' "No, finished." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for at a side door. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. compunction about shooting them down." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the