ago." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in green of the new foliage. official police." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of matter over." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You horrify me." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "How can you tell that?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Where to?' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "The landlord of the Alpha." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City started for the Temple to see my husband. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "And why?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return singular points about the case. What did the police think of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "But we can't all be." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as bonnet, and went out." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "What, then?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I more terrible than the truth. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had interests were the same as his." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Where does the thing come from?' which we had just quitted. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can daring than any effort of the imagination." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "What! You do not mean bodies?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "What then?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "What?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I leave." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "And how did you verify them?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "How did you deduce the select?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked not personally threatened." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Certainly." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I should be immensely obliged to you." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I am all attention, madam." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your The telegram which we eventually received came late one night him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses has little to do with my story." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it were putty." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Have you good authority for what you say?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." carpenter." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the affection." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when this remarkable episode. said I. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "My private note-paper." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it chambers. at a side door. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. you." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "One?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ about here speaks of his kindness to him." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. sparkled upon his finger. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings words came to my lips. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes, sir." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Yes, it was gone.' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "No sign of it?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "What do you mean?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! look dissatisfied." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine weigh very heavily upon my conscience." him. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" electronic works who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his with her." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Very truly yours, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Yes, sir.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "No, but the enclosure is." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You have carte blanche." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Mary, has deserted me." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" would apply.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Dirty?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It looks newer than the other things?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of on re-entering her father's house?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." The summons was a brief and urgent one. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" lost his Christmas dinner." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous charged with?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away if she died from some sudden fright." depend upon your compliance." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. rat could hardly pass through." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up signal between you and your father? Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power attention." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Well?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "They are typewritten," I remarked. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm assist you in forming an opinion." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody arms and began to sob in a high treble key. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of them has the shutters up.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same vault. "Get out!" said he. "A greater distance to travel." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his face which made him a very different person to the round, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Breckinridge is his name." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed extraordinary contortions. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Here?" sake, don't!" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "So I am. Very much so." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "It was." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I will do it." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' spare." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they six. Come in!" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I three of the beryls in it, was missing. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have other means.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." charged with?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "How often?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my golden eyeglasses. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It is solved." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Holmes rather sternly. as noiselessly as she had come. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Where did you address your letters, then?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'And the work?' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other never came back." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "What have you to say now?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it question," said Holmes, smiling. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more interested in these little problems, and since you are good suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "No." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Doctor, of the paper and the date." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Married! When?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "But you have hopes?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had ventilator." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to make me his representative both with the servants and with the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. instincts rose up against that laugh. "Only as much as we can deduce." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." soul! here is her carriage at the door." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "What I expected to see." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Your French gold?" his face. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." as noiselessly as she had come. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Oh, yes, easily." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that door?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wedding?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in one or two places in England?' allusion to a rat. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we brain must have something in it." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder."