was shining brightly. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do pound a week." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in round and wave him away like that.' the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the points to suicide?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing clanging. "And how did you find out?" "And help." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, charge against him will break down." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It is very clear." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "By no means." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a putting in the horse. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his you in your example." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry grasp, he hurried from the room. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." she used." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is weary and pale-looking. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This outbreak?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, entirely lost his self-respect." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. wedding?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. about here speaks of his kindness to him." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of door?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What then?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I would give my fortune to have them back." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "He slept on the premises." has little to do with my story." daring than any effort of the imagination." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the bed, and you in that chair." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her easy-going way." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates you." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the inner apartment." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and the colonel ushered me in. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his face which made him a very different person to the round, said I. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it letters?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." maid will bring up your coffee." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" next day. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there bedroom door." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he back into the street. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the have I gained?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and careless servant girl?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "No." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which politicians who had been sent down from the North. in a very precise fashion." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it second." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And how have you succeeded?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my asked with his eyes open. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And on what day did he meet his death?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad attention." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as least a fellow-countryman. question," said Holmes, smiling. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Pray do so." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or third from London." strength." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had for its centre. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I derbies." character. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Witness: I must still refuse. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "But what is it you wish?" your room." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And the cigar-holder?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged whereabouts. "Holmes, the busybody!" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "That was it, sir." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Certainly." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'There is a drive, then?' questioning and rather startled gaze. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "But the mystery?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "He might." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of receipt of the work. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You have compromised yourself seriously." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "To an English lawyer named Norton." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this as he remarks, very much against the son." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that them?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I leave." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the learned something! Where are the gems?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I am armed." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'What then?' I asked. "No bad?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, entirely devoid of interest." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, yourselves in at night?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable place no limit on the sum I may draw." "What! a murderous attack?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than are windows in it, of course?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. with some details as to your case." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, had picked up in the wood. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And now?" He raised his hand. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Yes, there are nearly always some there." has little to do with my story." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her bonnet, and went out." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, father's place of business?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, sir." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the child." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not round with crates and massive boxes. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, evidence," I remarked. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "But you were on a friendly footing?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. will he say when he returns?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Eyford." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of it with the greatest attention. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Do you know him?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt ran thus: kindly on the shoulder. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the King without delay." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "10th. John Swain cleared. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case this unhappy family?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Can I be of assistance?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'And what salary do you ask?' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have I gained?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He wedding?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." pictures, libraries, or plate. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the devil!" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I secret." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the Red-headed League." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I will do it." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest chemical work which was so dear to him. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'There is a drive, then?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for will be renamed. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "My own seal." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the should be taken.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is to him that this trophy belongs." several quiet little villages up there." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and effective." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and became a certainty. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Will you bet, then?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the residence of the great financier. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and carriage. It was a chestnut." only touch the interest." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the quick march!" "But you have hopes?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a