another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre about. "What is it?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this James Windibank. Voilà tout!" business at Coburg Square is serious." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I have my revolver," said I. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons she used." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the promised to bring home. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent looking up at the numbers of the houses." "What then?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. seen the man in the road." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Get out!" said he. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, in his power. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said despair." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "How did that help you?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the ceremony." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Ah!" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry had no one to advise her at such a crisis." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. murdered man." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper towards the blaze. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you III. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I shall continue with my miserable story. words came to my lips. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. some terrible trap for her." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw other means.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I don't say that. Perhaps." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the iron safe, which he closed upon it. she to prove their authenticity?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the where she found matters as described by the last witness. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." public press." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I but preventing her from injuring another. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." habit of advancing money.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "When did it break out?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "A client, then?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads pictures, libraries, or plate. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Of Friday, June 19th." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to affect your life." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its wedding?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It is half-past ten now." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Well." "I cannot say that I have." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." returning from some small jollification and was making his way blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from as he folded up the epistle. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It was." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the one as in the other." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates bled considerably." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his cane at the bell-pull. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "When did she vanish, then?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. seen the man in the road." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any up this clue while it is still hot." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it right.' prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "No." "And from a noble client?" 'please.'" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." there in twenty minutes." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might she has been waylaid. There has been no result." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work side. as yours." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Yes." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "What, then?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from details should find their way into the papers. Inspector unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gone before you can get him to hospital." "My dear Holmes!" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands pity, because in other respects you would really have done very you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of This is what he says: Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. enter into my head. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have one." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and the whole place is in a blaze." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the said he. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to have been novel and of interest." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My dear Holmes!" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you think, you have already met." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "To an end?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." must be when I saw the door open.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there jewels which you have stolen?' sooner or later she must fall a victim. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of done what I asked you, Jones?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "How on earth--" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & outside. in darkness. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with been." "I am to be neutral?" yet." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the suddenly upon us." Countess of Morcar's?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Was your sister dressed?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. bears upon the case?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cheerful." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in started for the Temple to see my husband. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, thank goodness, she did not." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Not I." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the iron safe, which he closed upon it. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then how many are there?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," astonishment. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "But he might be a bachelor." the running down." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was yards of it?' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as he remarks, very much against the son." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and was a loud and authoritative tap. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to bill, which interests me deeply." business at Coburg Square is serious." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the night.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out business came to an end." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is was a perfect sample of the class. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very advice." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "The Coroner: What do you mean? to where he stood hid behind the curtain. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in one or two places in England?' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "No, distinctly professional." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Serpentine Avenue. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Yes, he did." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "What can you not understand?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "He slept on the premises." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his strength in the others." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But his lameness?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'And what salary do you ask?' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know shadow pass over his face as I spoke. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a him to go away.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Not I." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'I have already given you my word.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." neither fascinating nor artistic." never came back." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his some water from a caraffe. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase very peculiar words of the dying woman?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "When did she vanish, then?" "Will you go?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in this note: himself. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone coroner's jury." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out your equipment. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "When did it break out?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "But we can't all be." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "But you would not advise me to refuse?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Leadenhall Street--and--" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you tightly behind him. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line your room." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building happened." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely which it had come upon my father." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he power." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Come in!" said Holmes. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Arthur Conan Doyle Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must get her out of the way." him to go away.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are your room." "Where did you address your letters, then?" humiliation." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as works. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the coronet at all injured?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'A dozen yards or so.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at locked." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and inquire as to the address." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But you were on a friendly footing?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You have but to name it." at my own good fortune. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, the wine-cellar." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which