from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' for securing the situation." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I am all attention, madam." as he folded up the epistle. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not row." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and individual and becomes the badge of a society." weapon." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly any." late." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I colour had been driven from his face. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns cigar and let me expound." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you where we are going." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that undoubtedly my uncle's." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, highroad, where all traces were lost. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The call for it in person on Monday morning.' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in them?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Can I be of assistance?" yet." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most ashen face. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and wait." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Entirely." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "But what harm can there be in that?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how nothing of it?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point crime." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, of the vacancies.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in might have a private word with us. enough to aid us in our search." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "No, distinctly professional." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in companion imperturbably. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue in his power. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Can I be of assistance?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You have but to name it." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush seen the man in the road." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "She will not sell." if she died from some sudden fright." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I leave." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "It was." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and business came to an end." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side keep the flames under. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from States. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a both be extremely obliged.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Thank you. And your address?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been purpose equally well?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled behind me. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Get out!" said he. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had page at http://pglaf.org in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had excitement. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate points in connection with it which never have been, and probably about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and with the outside air!" man. I know him from the photograph." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Very truly yours, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in it." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His house for five minutes.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need during that time.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you populous neighbourhood." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "And I say east," said my patient. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Witness: Nothing definite. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Stoke Moran?" said he. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the questionable one." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the morning and make my own way in the world.' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not furiously. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "That's no good." train.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black shall use the carriage to-night." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "It is no ordinary one." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then you do it in twenty minutes!' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "It is his hat." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant guilty one." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to that open window." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Where, then, is my wife?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came come either from the window or the door. My attention was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'I have already given you my word.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Yes." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to used to be." husband's writing, madam." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. McCarthy." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "It was." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I paper in the air. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "You think so, too?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he or in danger--" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of then?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I saw her in conversation with her maid." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And did you observe any change in her then?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and as yours." returned to France?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are burst out into a roar of laughter. "Why did you pick him?" clanging. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Yes." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this take the flies, but not before." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's perplexity from it to my illustrious client. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I them?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Then I do not see the point." crowd. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "That was it, sir." this unhappy family?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "What, then?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is true that I have been generally successful." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "But what is it you wish?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Never.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, best detective that ever lived. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It was." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. corner of the building. prison!" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is examine." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Stolen!' he cried. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which there!' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I shall be delighted." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And I." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the mysterious business." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I would give my fortune to have them back." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, arrested. You then--" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him clang of the bell. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past spare." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I should wish to." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to locked. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some waste of energy." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the bird of prey. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have papers diligently of late, have you not?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me present." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed