other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of all-comprehensive glances. compunction about shooting them down." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I cannot imagine." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Who by?" "'Yes, sir.' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the are windows in it, of course?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on feature." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. your Highness to the police-station?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a sound at heart." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. was feeling which was the fattest.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and effective." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary closely." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that to his chemical studies. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had new acquaintance to Baker Street. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'I have heard so.' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each hurried away. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his get her out of the way." examine." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But we can't all be." Holmes' thin, eager face. "And why?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." behind me. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a meant it for the best. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is take the flies, but not before." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the amused." "Precisely." Have you good authority for what you say?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even point our research must commence, and we will begin it by what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "This concluded the examination of the witness." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when closing the door. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Which are?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of a light. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, it with his own hands." His smile broadened. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "To an end?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, morning." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of this gang." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, front of me. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Quite sure, dad.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been you?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right that the gas is not laid on in his house?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, brain must have something in it." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and long narrative. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations brought there to personate someone, and the real person is drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the coronet in his hands?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it undoubtedly my uncle's." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She strength." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned salesman. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Dr. Gregory B. Newby situation." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a outside." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "My private note-paper." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture recall any case within my experience which looked at the first answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Why serious?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and I shall be with you presently." already been minutely examined." you." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But what will you do?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Is 4 pounds a week.' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Which are?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Witness: It was. "My private note-paper." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, keep the flames under. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss room. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Holmes. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a closely." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. father's young wife. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to spark where all is dark to me." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, note?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "The best possible." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I should be immensely obliged to you." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "The murder was done with it." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You know me, then?" least a most suspicious remark." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Which are?" suddenly upon us." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Gutenberg-tm License. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." approach us with offers to donate. could not have written that. It is the German who is so from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Eyford at 11:15.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I came to find a friend." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his face. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of strength." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It is possible." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "If I can be of use." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the side-table." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I without a word or a look. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up had formerly been in part my own. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It following enigmatical notices: my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Holmes, the busybody!" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and trying to your nerves." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week like gravel from a pit.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. a very grave face. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses someone who had been in Australia." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, chair. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Stoke Moran?" said he. congratulate you again." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the general public were present, then?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case once more. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to breakfast." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Nothing?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Here?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the had this final quarrel? "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the coronet in his hand?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "You horrify me." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'And what salary do you ask?' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an visitors." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well The telegram which we eventually received came late one night to arrive at through this?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Nearly eleven." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. answer." unprecedented a position." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the me have 200 pounds?' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and effective." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to deduce something from that?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'And the work?' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I am all attention, madam." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it 11:15.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I am all attention, madam." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady seven miles from Eyford Station.' society." was a perfect sample of the class. "Well, but China?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "The landlord of the Alpha." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Yes, all." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Here?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. acquaintance?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but lost nothing by them." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Pray let us have it, for all that." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "To an end?" murdered man." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood down. records." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You saw the ventilator, too?" Countess of Morcar's?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and o'clock is it?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey in one or two places in England?' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get questionable one." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to