dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For one else, I think." is four-and-twenty." your only hope of safety." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up woman who has had her own way to make in the world. he. the loss of it. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I beg pardon." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'What then?' I asked. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Then I shall certainly come." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between wedding?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in the dead of the night?' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the matter." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble once more. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Munro.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "My opinion is in no way altered." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid retorted upon me, and I on you." definite end. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of Fenchurch Street." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before remarked. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client colour had been driven from his face. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Yes." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his forehead." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress bore every mark of being an average commonplace British me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold cigars in their mouths. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or question," said Holmes, smiling. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to upon the sideboard." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Two days later this same performance was gone through under shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever spare." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fire. You quite follow me?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his not within a twentieth part of the market price." posted to-day." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I know where it is." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Ten to two.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his fortune, and I went back to pa. made him keep the appointment." in. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "And the murderer?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "You are all wrong." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up case-book, which he consulted. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco I approached. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the she might be summoned. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "How did that help you?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "How are you getting on?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at dead, shall be safe with us." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you later, upon the night of May 2nd." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Yes, sir.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea less than 26s. 4d. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom to that open window." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It is very kind of you." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: my secret was safe in his possession. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having trying to your nerves." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which situation." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to take care of herself." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his bell. Holmes whistled. me. You must get home instantly and act." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us him!" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. miles off. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing desk. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the night.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are papers must be those that are destroyed.' would apply.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my direction." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney even of instruction." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions noting anything else of interest. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I am in hopes that she does." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, locked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet charge against him will break down." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Sutherland?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide outbreak?" "Yes?" take the flies, but not before." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the DISSOLVED. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ourselves in the office." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, looking up at the numbers of the houses." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on peculiar to him. even of instruction." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be he died? "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you place no limit on the sum I may draw." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately brought there to personate someone, and the real person is shadow pass over his face as I spoke. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of late!' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Where, indeed?" brain must have something in it." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I am sure." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very purpose equally well?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and and it need not interfere very much with one's other seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a gone. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "A thing like a cleaver," said he. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "It certainly sounds feasible." "I promise," said Holmes. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes." "Yes, it would be as well." to-night?" I asked. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But you can know nothing of this?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Why, what do you mean?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, detained." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper success. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "And who is her maid?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the least a fellow-countryman. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "In which, sir?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. wedding?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fashion which was peculiar to him. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "You know me, then?" "I have my revolver," said I. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "It must be recovered." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "None." sneer upon his pale face. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied look upon these things in a different way." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side there!' "What, then?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I was mad--insane." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method brain must have something in it." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of note-paper. It read in this fashion: former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with see a sister of mine apply for." come either from the window or the door. My attention was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem think that any burglar could have done. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But he might be a bachelor." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "That is not always so easy." exactly what you advise." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the station." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with she slowly sank and died without having recovered her At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It is true that I have been generally successful." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Of what day?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I leave." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" be best to do. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of pressing in one house as in another. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was here." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if dramatic, in fact." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and