the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low bill, which interests me deeply." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, sir." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but future lives." clang of the bell. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A figure." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she mystery!" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was there was no need for father to know." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "There are none." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently said I. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his whole matter to your consideration." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that foot. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his good for you to do.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near chamber." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America wife's character?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'I have already given you my word.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and fled together." pictures, libraries, or plate. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Then how many are there?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing him. straighten it?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I say it is." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the tightly behind him. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Nothing?" throat." easy-going way." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do DAMAGE. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my row." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then disappearance of these gems?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining tightly behind him. all that?" the coronet in his hands?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of a monotonous occupation." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'I have heard so.' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I am following you closely," I answered. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." John Swain, of St. Augustine. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose noise which awoke you from your sleep?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "You are hungry," I remarked. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came against a man in the prime of life?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will business matters.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "And you thought he was pulled back?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday beg that you will break it off." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And what did you learn from him?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Quite so. She has her freedom." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "My dear Holmes!" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of back alive. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Tell me all about it,' said I. into the room. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning pound a week." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. digesting their breakfasts at home." matter." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, jewels which you have stolen?' there in twenty minutes." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he be. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I was sure that I might rely on you." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "What are they?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Yes, only one." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Very well, sir. And this stone?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of his shoulders. situation." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the morning and make my own way in the world.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It surprised me." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "So I heard. You have him here?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call standing smiling on the door-step. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And what did you learn from him?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "My stepfather's business papers." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then eat it." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "He is still with you, I presume?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' lumber-room." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I when you have done it." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw your bag." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "That is easily got." conduct the inquiry." "The King of Scandinavia." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson depend upon my doing so.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the child." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "To ruin me." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "He said that you could solve anything." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I you." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Yes." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "What shall I do?" appeal." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out brandy and water within his reach. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. enough to aid us in our search." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well your co-operation." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But chambers. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And now?" I asked. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you gigantic client. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But she could not love him." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "But what will you do?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do was feeling which was the fattest.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give father's place of business?" discontent upon his features. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to have that photograph." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger what I may call a really hard day's work." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are photograph?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Then how many are there?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, back alive. again on its way. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all married her." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner looking up at the numbers of the houses." without a word or a look. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Tell me all about it,' said I. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for touch that coronet?' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital was shining brightly. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' you, my dear young lady?' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though with you alone." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed south, for the country is more deserted there." I am not easy in my mind about them." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it cause to be." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it right.' which it had come upon my father." his huge brown hands. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Street. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Yes, from Horsham." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere in a very precise fashion." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation assist you in forming an opinion." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the I think that I could be of assistance to you." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life wife's character?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER you give your casting vote to?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And on what day did he meet his death?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the Friday. Was it to be in church?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Certainly,' I answered. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly made him keep the appointment." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down appointment with me for six o'clock?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Yes." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, before, for it was considerably after midnight. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each might have a private word with us. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of