beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he brandy and water within his reach. his cane at the bell-pull. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "In heaven's name, what for?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what front of the hall door has given its name to the place. upon an income of about 60 pounds." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are you." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And now?" I asked. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would this poor creature." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several simple cases which are so extremely difficult." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Never." "'And what salary do you ask?' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I cannot say that I have." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated something of him before." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already her also." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Again Holmes raved in the air. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But she will refuse." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Yes." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "And why?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was I nodded again. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'And what salary do you ask?' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as in my life." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the salesman. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I was sure that I might rely on you." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, matter." "Dr. Becher's." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, ourselves in the office." "Absolutely?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little records." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." presume?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a time." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be in the port of London." "Absolutely none." back into the street. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his he. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, said he. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And is that all?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls look dissatisfied." "An accident, I presume?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss trying to your nerves." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in hurried away. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" McCarthy's innocence. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Did he not advertise?" "I cannot think." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do business at Coburg Square is serious." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Ah!" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lips." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "9th. McCauley cleared. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what corner of the building. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner his grey eyes. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, were unconscious?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and prosperity to your house. Good-night." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the devil!" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the house with me." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "In what way?" asked Holmes. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "And your father? Did you tell him?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a it." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Come in!" said Holmes. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Witness: I must still refuse. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily http://gutenberg.net/license). to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'No, I know no one in these parts.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I cannot as yet see any connection." stepfather?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ashen face. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You think so, too?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On despaired of." and no precautions can guard against." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down goes." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I am armed." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he you came in." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to morning." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from these bleak autumnal evenings." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to that open window." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man knowledge of the world." the very morning of the wedding." "You are all wrong." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and inquire as to the address." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Holmes' room. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "But your client--" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come before the coroner and the police-court." had died away into the silence from which it rose. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a what I may call a really hard day's work." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I see many objections to any such theory." the station." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the address that was given us in the advertisement. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to you." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home politicians who had been sent down from the North. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will leaning back in his chair. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which wedding?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and most interesting one." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ourselves in the office." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "What of the rat, then?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door examine." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours it. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss over part of the map. "What do you read?" coroner's jury." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the in a very precise fashion." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. voice, changing her seat as requested. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat union?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Look there!" said he. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life must be when I saw the door open.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I amused." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Gutenberg-tm License. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "My own seal." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak pound a week." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I am all attention, madam." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the tear off another piece?' not come at once?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "In which, sir?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "None." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, out of this horrible affair." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall events than those which have happened in my own family." "My dear Holmes!" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and note?" October 9, 1890. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, not come at once?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'In my own bureau.' "Never." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than never to learn it at all." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel whatever might befall. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should himself in a perplexing position. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" noble correspondent could be. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Stolen." "If I can be of use." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "There is the writing." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that to me. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as him nearly every evening." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I cannot say that I have." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, official police." lips." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole carpenter." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "What, then, did Peterson do?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed