it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "There are none." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "9th. McCauley cleared. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem back to my heart. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business quite distinctive." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over look dissatisfied." "You were travelling in the States?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into place no limit on the sum I may draw." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the was a loud and authoritative tap. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There may have an influence upon European history." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon or other trace. But how on earth--" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a is," said he presently: "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'How far from the body?' you." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the ceiling. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "What will you do, then?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Entirely." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain presume?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Bought." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, time." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." guilty parties." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was such attractions and accomplishments?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, and laid it on the table. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "No." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "But what harm can there be in that?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." will take you up to see the machine.' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And what then?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of Fenchurch Street." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Where, then, is my wife?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "What! a murderous attack?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it? Did I buy the geese off you?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that I can to serve you." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as floor. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Does that suggest anything?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have had none more fantastic than this." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Certainly." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with vanished into the darkness. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and the colonel ushered me in. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "But the mystery?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "No, thank goodness, she did not." "And I say east," said my patient. "He said that you could solve anything." "And your mother is alive?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Who was the criminal, then?" words came to my lips. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at some city in a dream. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any me. You must get home instantly and act." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope held up the lantern and gazed about him. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see observed. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, very old mansion. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of be.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I promise," said Holmes. Leadenhall Street--and--" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. salesman. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual in the dead of the night?' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it said he. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still along the entire front of the house, with three long windows his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle a monotonous occupation." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he shoulder; "he's all right." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have not had my rubber." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, into the bag, and made for the door. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It came here." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' make me his representative both with the servants and with the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was man. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "The landlord of the Alpha." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I say it is." "We must have a cab." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free 'please.'" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too second." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am sure." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the window, rose as we entered. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "To ruin me." have not had my rubber." the loss of it. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been seem to you to be relevant or not." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do quickly through a disagreeable task. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "What have you to say now?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these said he at last. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of whole matter to your consideration." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at held up the lantern and gazed about him. green of the new foliage. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "It's nothing of the kind." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Why, what do you mean?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Pray do so." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Just look it up, then." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Here?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather returning from some small jollification and was making his way my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and this Miss Turner." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You were travelling in the States?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "No legal papers or certificates?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The events in question occurred in the early days of my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "The rest you will leave in our hands." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second one else, I think." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and figure." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I will do it." "Proceed, then." what do you think they found in the pockets?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But you have hopes?" fait accompli?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Pope's Court. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "The murder was done with it." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Then how many are there?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "He is still with you, I presume?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way better in every way that they should make their position a little a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, jewels which you have stolen?' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I will not look." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. ran thus: unkempt, staring out at me. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the coroner come to?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp drawing your inferences." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Were they all fastened this morning?" the driver. fled together." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And what did you learn from him?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I answered that I had not. Foundation strong and stiff." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so attention." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such comes from the middle window." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Yes, he did." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "A confidential servant?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Can I be of assistance?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Always." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one detective. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in darkness. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I highroad, where all traces were lost. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "So it appears." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones sparkled upon his finger. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily investigation." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Certainly, madam." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of a light. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is figure." "Tired-looking or fresh?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to affect your life." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring nonsense.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and effective." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, cause to be." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but His smile broadened. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, this Miss Turner." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he generous with you in money matters.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tension within him. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then