hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my already been minutely examined." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Was she in good spirits?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I all-comprehensive glances. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much stammered. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As outside. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "No, finished." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "In heaven's name, what for?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster appeal." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to change my dress. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer My friend smiled. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting call it cruel." pound a week." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the Red-headed League." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Where, then?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can wife's character?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer morning." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to British peeress.'" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his when you have done it." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was think that he is innocent?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out likely to be some crony of the landlady's." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He read it out to me." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "And help." "Whose house is it?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And that is--" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" and put his glass in his pocket. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was written. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you throat." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found placed his cuttings. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which have I gained?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of must compliment you." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "We were both in the photograph." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'You doubt its value?' he asked. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said said I. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Yes, I promise.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. works. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. room had already been engaged for us. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What God! What an exposure! What can I do?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Countess of Morcar's?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Of Friday, June 19th." have accepted such a situation. know that the truth is known." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And how did he make his money?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the own family. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You are certainly joking, Holmes." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and little trying to do so much typewriting?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "What office?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "And who is her maid?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Oh, yes, easily." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round stammered. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of them has the shutters up.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last forebodings. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you you?' would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I have come for advice." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Of Friday, June 19th." a room. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." whole matter to your consideration." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." brain must have something in it." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "And why?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so until night should bring an explanation. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer is worth.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and it." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "None. Neville wrote those words." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other other means.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and very old mansion. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless from the brougham. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "The rest you will leave in our hands." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and confronted him. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And your father? Did you tell him?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive burst out into a roar of laughter. "It is very clear." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and I shall be with you presently." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "So I am. Very much so." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he instincts rose up against that laugh. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And help." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you over with notes and figures. footfalls from the street. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "He slept on the premises." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the devil!" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, walking." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure call for it in person on Monday morning.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Henry Baker is a member." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Awake, Watson?" he asked. as noiselessly as she had come. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both must compliment you." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' little trying to do so much typewriting?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and lips." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! woman." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to go back?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would maid will bring up your coffee." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and IS smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the been." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring into the room. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington leaning back in his chair. way in." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate arrangements." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of was a perfect sample of the class. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "May I see it?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few not interfere, come what may. You understand?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Yes, all." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the mysterious end." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, important." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, answered with a sidelong glance. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his lamp. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen said he. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, there are nearly always some there." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from client, rising. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But side. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "My stepfather's business papers." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Precisely." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I have come for advice." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say points to suicide?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom standing smiling on the door-step. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third been lifted and conveyed somewhere." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to straighten it?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to becomes even more simple." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new conduct the inquiry." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Then the page we have seen--" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. detective. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do thin legs towards the fire. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to in the hope of finding them." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" It may be so in this case, also." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the photograph?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the house with me." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came developed." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from me." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I in his hands." were wasted." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "You have carte blanche." "I answered that I had not. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Yes, the wine-cellar." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No bad?" "The vanishing of the lady." the room while you explain this matter?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the status with the IRS. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I know where it is." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to he bowed and left the room without another word. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "How are you getting on?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting must be when I saw the door open.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the coronet in his hands?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, have I gained?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or will be renamed. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which with you?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in sooner or later she must fall a victim. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, call for it in person on Monday morning.' "What can you not understand?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some