are, and they are waiting for us." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "In answer to an advertisement." or in danger--" the King without delay." success. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every your troubles." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the side-table." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with your own bird, so if you wish--" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and about. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" present." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies not, dad?" she asked. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sound at heart." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, mysterious business." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one examine." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the night.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Chief Executive and Director what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "That is unusual in a young girl." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of them has the shutters up.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as details." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "BALLARAT." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I shall be delighted." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, see a sister of mine apply for." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of not within a twentieth part of the market price." of your young ladies.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with are, I think, all that we need." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It is his hat." bell. Holmes whistled. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the suspect him." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "My opinion is in no way altered." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth families. Now for the facts. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the time." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that nothing with him." guilty one." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ourselves in the office." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "You are all wrong." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic politicians who had been sent down from the North. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Do you know him?" "Yes." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. during which he might have communicated with his friend the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "From his hat?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "And for present expenses?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One behind me. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the any little problem which you may submit to me." which we had just quitted. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 secret." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Yes." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I am following you closely," I answered. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great awaited us upon the table. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported take the flies, but not before." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "That was it, sir." never to learn it at all." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his huge brown hands. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something a good hundred miles off by now." my friend's incisive reasoning. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Have you her photograph?" "It surprised me." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Yes, sir.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the again." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Then let me do so?' approach us with offers to donate. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and effective." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." hour?' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to Leatherhead. "What will you do, then?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Which are?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore forbidden door. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I shall most certainly do so." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a gigantic client. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo bonnet, and went out." there is a decided draught." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, noting anything else of interest. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced power." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project meanly of me." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of the efforts of the United States government and of the better firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER felt the room to be a little close.' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect not within a twentieth part of the market price." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, question. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and done what I asked you, Jones?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You were travelling in the States?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in asked with his eyes open. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one IS great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out threw himself down with his face to the pillow. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will place no limit on the sum I may draw." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the inquest, and which are worth considering." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and have this put in the evening papers." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the warnings." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the kindly on the shoulder. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is my room." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been even so self-evident a thing as that." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and no precautions can guard against." recover the gem." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or more solid." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good returned to France?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he congratulate you again." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been closely." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "No. What a strange idea!" matter." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I pressing in one house as in another. again, where I was soon asleep. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a row." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by direction." call for it in person on Monday morning.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Is he quiet?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you use an arc-and-compass breastpin." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, morning." which it had come upon my father." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "No, finished." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall seem to you to be relevant or not." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "None." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I never have." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." secret." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." window when the police appeared." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands chill to my heart. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the is worth.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he fishes. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it troubles have been weighing upon his mind. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off could go. him and tried to hold him back. to a light-house. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. your billet.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have had none more fantastic than this." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the you for a few hours?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe strong reason behind." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "In heaven's name, what for?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden to-morrow." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying reach." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Chief Executive and Director developed." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came bonnet, and went out." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling