crowd. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "No, my brougham is waiting." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "And that is--" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'And what are they worth?' I asked. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again night.' said he. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Countess of Morcar's?" all?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San call it cruel." "But his left-handedness." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the window, rose as we entered. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which them present such singular features as the strange train of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bonnet, and went out." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Yes." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and a little more before I quite committed myself. look dissatisfied." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "At what time?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would started for the Temple to see my husband. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." room had already been engaged for us. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Come in!" said Holmes. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every there has been an enclosure here!" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "One of his hands." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Doctor, of the paper and the date." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. written. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Come in!" said he. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The went to the Alpha were town bred." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to crime. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Well, some hundreds of times." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where shoulder. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "She showed me, as I told you she would." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'About the same.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "My dear Holmes!" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and looked back. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but not, dad?" she asked. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of following enigmatical notices: plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Holmes, the busybody!" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Which are?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was will take you up to see the machine.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I giving me time to thank him. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Stolen." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of are, I think, all that we need." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing existence." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And sit in the dark?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too showing my impatience. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hardly wander." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to following enigmatical notices: points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. noting anything else of interest. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have or other trace. But how on earth--" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg there were so many in the whole country as were brought together compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, amused." o'clock is it?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Thank you. And your address?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I say it is." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the stones. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Not I." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the desk. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Literary Archive Foundation a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could as he folded up the epistle. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, questionable one." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a three fields round his house, and there he would take his from the brougham. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "To the police?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he as the one I chose?' when your master had gone out." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous long narrative. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds business at Coburg Square is serious." "Who was the criminal, then?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we front of the hall door has given its name to the place. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the night.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." way in." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there there." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm purpose of examination. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was not, dad?" she asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ready to-morrow?' said I. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, answered with a sidelong glance. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Stolen, then." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to through." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good promised to bring home. tapping his fingers upon the table. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it train.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Dr. Becher's." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a with you?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to-night?" I asked. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the what do you think they found in the pockets?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of that I am arrested." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had highly," said Holmes. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has trifles." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it that the gas is not laid on in his house?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. business at Coburg Square is serious." know what is wrong with it.' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." has little to do with my story." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And help." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, stammered. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's round and wave him away like that.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have into the room. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the third from London." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the bare slabs of marble. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead presume?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "None." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner noting anything else of interest. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Where could I find him?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I will do it." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger tear off another piece?' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. already referred to. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I ourselves in the office." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. it were putty." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Where to?' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which three of the beryls in it, was missing. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I