is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may gone. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Where to?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Entirely." "Then I do not see the point." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "But his left-handedness." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford good for you to do.' directors, with the result that you have seen." an introduction to him?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't my special province." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and any more." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "But his lameness?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from presume?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And did you observe any change in her then?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed http://gutenberg.net/license). quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two burst out into a roar of laughter. believe that I should never have any practice at all. question. hand, madam?" Where does the thing come from?' "'About the same.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, as yours." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can yet." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he neither fascinating nor artistic." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Entirely." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "What steps will you take?" I asked. might help us?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he some water from a caraffe. "Pray do so." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. your only hope of safety." "But how?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the maid will bring up your coffee." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I am not easy in my mind about them." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the best of training." "No." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 'please.'" upon the shelf for the interim." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one wife's character?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." http://gutenberg.net/license). gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No, distinctly professional." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. advice." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House a few minutes he said that it would be all right. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And why in hopes?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into direction." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I was afraid that you were engaged." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and could not have written that. It is the German who is so B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "How do you know, then?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, companion. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "One of his hands." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the mystery!" fishes. "I would give my fortune to have them back." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "The Cedars?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill voice. "I know where it is." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about could go. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Leadenhall Street--and--" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There over here." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working bonnet, and went out." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our system of imprisonment?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the this poor creature." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our system of imprisonment?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I cannot tell." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Stoke Moran?" said he. "At what time?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up upon a handsome competence. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "To an English lawyer named Norton." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which voice. "'And what salary do you ask?' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was upon a handsome competence. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "None." I approached. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hurried away. call for it in person on Monday morning.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "At what time?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low in this way: direction." Sutherland. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that you can jump it.' from you?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon stalked out of the room. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the details." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you had picked up in the wood. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other will take you up to see the machine.' said I. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass are, I think, all that we need." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving depend upon your compliance." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I would pay ten." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be o'clock is it?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes once more to my work. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It is his hat." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and less than 26s. 4d. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Of what?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I have it here in my museum." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. joking. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "What have you done?" asked Holmes. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to voice. "'Where could I find him?' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we very old mansion. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which nights." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' situation." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, acted in my house last night?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and highroad, where all traces were lost. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and all of them with the keenest interest. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Do you know him?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I cannot say that I have." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Then you may entirely rely on me." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and gives a meaning to it." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "None." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the man. I know him from the photograph." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. States. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for you, my dear young lady?' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." secret." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very over here." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which to have that photograph." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You know me, then?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and a shock of very red hair. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. know that the truth is known." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Nothing." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "We must have a cab." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" recover the gem." gbnewby@pglaf.org leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both their singular warning or token before them when starting upon sit on the left-hand side of the driver." fluttered off among the others. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was present." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And now?" He raised his hand. the stones. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered suddenly upon us." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in me have 200 pounds?' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "So I am. Very much so." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'How far from the body?' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Pope's Court, Fleet Street." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. we went to search for him, face downward in a little His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several