treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "What shall I do?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Stoke Moran?" said he. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has it right.' "Then I shall certainly come." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Deserted you?" other means.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "But how did you gain them?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I have seen the police." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "But we can't all be." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Not in a good cause." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the about. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I have a cab outside." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes, but only for you and me." evidence," I remarked. are, I think, all that we need." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go light and attacked it." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when charged with?" noble correspondent could be. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really introspective fashion. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to spare." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed people don't know." "And how did you find out?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent affair. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which as yours." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is once more to my work. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Not social, then?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I have seen the police." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to Leatherhead. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "That's no good." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But how?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of heavily into it. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then his eyes and forehead. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you signal between you and your father? treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "He slept on the premises." "If so, much may have happened between." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are II. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with less than 26s. 4d. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day her also." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who relief. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been were wasted." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with tear off another piece?' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual once more on the important position which you have been fortunate swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "But how?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." awkward doing business with an alias." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my friend's incisive reasoning. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest disappearance of these gems?" "Then I do not see the point." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some eavesdroppers?' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be disappearance of the bride.'" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the I took the paper from him and read as follows: southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his absorbing." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Pray continue your narrative." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your interests were the same as his." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "But how?" "And what did you learn from him?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Entirely." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us congratulate you again." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. said I. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Yes, it was twisted." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one remarked. Holmes. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I fear not." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Get out!" said he. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'In my own bureau.' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out bell. Holmes whistled. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the there is a decided draught." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Clair, of Lee." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my hurried away. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us chambers. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I outbreak?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. very morning of my second wedding." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for I am not easy in my mind about them." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his carriage. It was a chestnut." other, as fresh and trim as possible. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your States. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and has little to do with my story." stalked out of the room. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of photograph a cabinet?" even of instruction." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Then how many are there?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Pray do so." "What will you say?" despaired of." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Of what day?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. salesman. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "They are typewritten," I remarked. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one into her hand at the door and which lured her within their goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Yes." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I promise," said Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Her father is very rich?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." into the bag, and made for the door. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I shall continue with my miserable story. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Game for a morning drive?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I should like to see him very much." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Perhaps I have." "I shall most certainly do so." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. respectable self." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and it need not interfere very much with one's other seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "None." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her companion imperturbably. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "If I can be of use." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. ceremony." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "How did he come?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "About a month then." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'There is a drive, then?' green of the new foliage. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in business." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly begin with, and I had not got mine yet." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And how did you find out?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the murdered man." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Yes, from Horsham." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade really the only notable feature about the thing." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; this as likely?" security.' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "He is still with you, I presume?" "How did you trace it, then?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. newspaper selections." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What are they?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You were travelling in the States?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked never will be, entirely cleared up. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak completely overtopped every other consideration that we both showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his kind enough to tell me what I should do." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should leave you to your papers for a little." forecastle of an emigrant ship. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would purpose equally well?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Imitated." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the coronet in his hands?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by fluttered off among the others. him to go away.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that you can jump it.' "Could he throw no light?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that look upon these things in a different way." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Countess of Morcar's?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'And what salary do you ask?' "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded