a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. roused himself from his reverie. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most too. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent particular state visit http://pglaf.org as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, what I may call a really hard day's work." your Highness to the police-station?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which our visitor detailed to us. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a good-night and bustled off upon her way. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Never." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the had formerly been in part my own. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just compunction about shooting them down." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Pray be precise as to details," said he. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I at my remark. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way should be so warm over such a trifle." back to my heart. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "ARAT," I read. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You have a clue?" new duties?' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the salesman. notes," he said. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "The gentleman I describe." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, be there in time for your coming." tied." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where late!' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "You have a clue?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up spare." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Seven!" I answered. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And why?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; with some details as to your case." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. yet." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Come in!" said Holmes. be sorry for having acted so harshly." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with business?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Of Friday, June 19th." that you saw all that I did." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and works. See paragraph 1.E below. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Which surely he restored to their owner?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Serpentine Avenue. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are man. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Leadenhall Street--and--" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "It is very kind of you." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me out." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with power." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in a friendly supper." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight approach us with offers to donate. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and the church but not where the lady lived." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out paper in the air. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "My own seal." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in heavily into it. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in the port of London." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Yes." "By all means." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Farm upon the left." "You are hungry," I remarked. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Where to?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And for present expenses?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded or other trace. But how on earth--" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and or other trace. But how on earth--" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the child." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from gentleman's clothes. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "But you can know nothing of this?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And you thought he was pulled back?" Henry Baker is a member." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "On the contrary, this is the right side." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven see a sister of mine apply for." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fat-encircled eyes. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I cannot think." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident tell them apart.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Here?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Cross for the Continent." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it very old mansion. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to is acting for the best. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached everything which you would wish to know." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she miles off. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Then I am your man." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have wall." occurred." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" had this final quarrel? "Did you become engaged then?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was away into the river." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Yes, it was gone.' I shall communicate with you." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, at my remark. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And how have you succeeded?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I am about to be married." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Certainly." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the what is your own theory as to what took place?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where strength." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no these bleak autumnal evenings." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "What do you mean?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." that he has suffered." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Ample." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that than to us. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Pope's Court, Fleet Street." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and together. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the extraordinary contortions. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, he. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently it." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to me. "From his hat?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still how narrow had been my escape. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns wanted for ourselves." galvanised. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the charge against him will break down." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." and no precautions can guard against." my secret was safe in his possession. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I shall most certainly do so." "And did you observe any change in her then?" them?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "To ruin me." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "What can it mean?" I gasped. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On lamp. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no official police." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "But how did you gain them?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Why, what do you mean?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A