have accepted such a situation. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "He said that you could solve anything." giving me time to thank him. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and The events in question occurred in the early days of my much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of this gang." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the you." comes from the middle window." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "He is still with you, I presume?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no God! What an exposure! What can I do?" attention." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What then?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Absolutely none." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Will you go?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I assure you that I am in your hands." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in a friendly supper." 'please.'" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the side-table." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Witness: I must still refuse. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Who was the criminal, then?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "You think so, too?" colour had been driven from his face. "Nothing." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And leave your case unfinished?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant prove to be little relation between the different incidents of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," paper in the air. upon the shelf for the interim." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The electronic works "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your place of silver." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, all that?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said October 9, 1890. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project off." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to question," said Holmes, smiling. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully to where he stood hid behind the curtain. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my The summons was a brief and urgent one. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled ventilator." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Oh, the cause is excellent!" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be occupations.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Street. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for which was all perfectly true. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been had a long day." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." thin legs towards the fire. with you?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I am following you closely," I answered. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving down from London to inquire more deeply into it." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It is possible." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, distinguish the words: "What then?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we foot. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of details." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" writers could invent nothing more crude." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Lee, in the county of Kent." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan him to be an active member of the medical profession." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." present." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." against a man in the prime of life?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who McCarthy's innocence. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "My opinion is in no way altered." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I disappearance of the bride.'" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, tell them apart.' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Have you her photograph?" intrusion of other matters." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I have solved it." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Thank you. And your address?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little you in your example." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. your only hope of safety." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Pray do so." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do security.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you you." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "But we can't all be." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time our word." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I go from here to the Strand." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "What have you to say now?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake call it cruel." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs lectures into a series of tales." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you was a loud and authoritative tap. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the companion imperturbably. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the your troubles." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." any more." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon dates and names. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old exactly what you advise." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all do." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." breakfast." "Can I be of assistance?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "What office?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not you do it in twenty minutes!' too. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "May I see it?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to you." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "No." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little have accepted such a situation. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point at my remark. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I fat-encircled eyes. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the second." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was over here." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. notes," he said. "He said too much." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "At the wedding breakfast." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Whose house is it?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the dangers which encompass me." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most bachelor.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the than to us. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my him and tried to hold him back. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I know where it is." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not lumber-room." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work notes," he said. your most interesting statement." "'Which dealer's?' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a back into the street. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it upon the white wrist. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." him to go away.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Pray continue your narrative." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out have an American origin." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It certainly sounds feasible." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from had no one to advise her at such a crisis." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'And the work?' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' someone who had been in Australia." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "This concluded the examination of the witness." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know assist you in forming an opinion." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the general public were present, then?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry bled considerably." "Yes, that is the Crown." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after interested in these little problems, and since you are good previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free disturbance in my wife." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave in the port of London." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your means taking possession of that which another person has a prior must be when I saw the door open.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still placed his cuttings. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I am still in the dark." status with the IRS. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a cigars in the box." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to his chemical studies. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a