his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yes, he did." "To an end?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Precisely." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into me. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Breckinridge is his name." have one." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Tired-looking or fresh?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are girl said." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned your only hope of safety." "Certainly." gives a meaning to it." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Then he might have called to you?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, putting in the horse. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of address. "And help." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, nothing with him." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in this way: "'What then?' I asked. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the inquest, and which are worth considering." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And when will you call?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your brandy and water within his reach. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. investigation." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily swore that no one else had been in the front room during the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three my former friend and companion. said he at last. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced your billet.' "I know where it is." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and to that open window." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I think that I could be of assistance to you." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major States. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of in this note: here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by enter Dr. Roylott's room." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "What then?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was his wife has ceased to love him." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Very murderous indeed." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. go--none." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," might have a private word with us. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "My own seal." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of if she died from some sudden fright." strength." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at points to suicide?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention James Windibank. Voilà tout!" were unconscious?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a monotonous occupation." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Then, how do you know?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Lestrade of Scotland Yard." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a giving me time to thank him. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and matters immensely." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, when your master had gone out." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the This is what he says: attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your less than 26s. 4d. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but with frightened eyes at his accuser. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time south, for the country is more deserted there." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her in the dead of the night?' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the address that was given us in the advertisement. "He disappeared so suddenly." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Eyford." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Have you her photograph?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three desk. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in if only as a check to my own memory." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "I cannot tell." during which he might have communicated with his friend the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Very good.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell mysterious end." row." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Do you receive much company?" he asked. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes, the wine-cellar." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds use an arc-and-compass breastpin." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, unprecedented a position." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." at my own good fortune. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Perfectly so." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you interests were the same as his." them?" Cross for the Continent." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" you." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my then?" shoulder; "he's all right." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She tell him that I know him to be innocent." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." residence of the great financier. my friend's incisive reasoning. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes, sir." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To speckled band?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and the whole place is in a blaze." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of least a most suspicious remark." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." round with crates and massive boxes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the public press." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and laid it on the table. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting me. You must get home instantly and act." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Street. and effective." less than 26s. 4d. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Really! You surprise me." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something said Mr. Holder. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, all." chance." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I will, Miss Turner." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & infinite languor in his face. young Openshaw's." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "BALLARAT." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "The rest you will leave in our hands." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a brandy and water within his reach. "The best possible." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, some hundreds of times." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Was she in good spirits?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'I have heard so.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I think that it is very probable." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It is solved." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, had picked up in the wood. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking of your young ladies.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Not him." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "An accident, I presume?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may relief. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and experiences." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very call it cruel." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' take the flies, but not before." indiscretion." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Yes, sir.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the in one or two places in England?' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been his eyes and forehead. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year at once, for I have only half an hour." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "What! a murderous attack?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these how narrow had been my escape. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I