tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am before, for it was considerably after midnight. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and inquire as to the address." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed never will be, entirely cleared up. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front was used.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the believe that I should never have any practice at all. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to your most interesting statement." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before corner of the building. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Entirely." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the stable lane now." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. with the outside air!" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Look there!" said he. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of you." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been went to the Alpha were town bred." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the bottom.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Why, what do you mean?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to me. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "His face fell immediately. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady must be when I saw the door open.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see populous neighbourhood." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I have it here in my museum." until night should bring an explanation. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been again, where I was soon asleep. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I was afraid that you were engaged." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he client, rising. "Breckinridge is his name." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes, all." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into highly," said Holmes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, unkempt, staring out at me. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. events than those which have happened in my own family." one which it was hard to resist. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our in the dead of the night?' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Your presence might be invaluable." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and capable of preserving a secret.' secret." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "The knees of his trousers." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a back to my heart. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, sir." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not said I. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Not him." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I cannot imagine." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You are hungry," I remarked. that you can jump it.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is whether it answered to the description of any of their to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You have compromised yourself seriously." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "To the police?" to a more successful conclusion." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No, but the enclosure is." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. tied." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "It is no ordinary one." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Witness: I must still refuse. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." goes." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Never." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to me. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the date of his supposed suicide." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. not within a twentieth part of the market price." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "And it is--" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his his knees, staring into the fire. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and window when the police appeared." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of the way of danger. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more key turn in the lock." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of campaign. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and that?' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Holmes' face clouded over. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'Yes.' "And what did you see?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It missed him, then?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, some hundreds of times." should be so warm over such a trifle." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Then what has happened to him?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and your relations to her." "A confidential servant?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" weary and pale-looking. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "And what did you see?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his again, where I was soon asleep. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and wait." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the highly," said Holmes. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But you would not advise me to refuse?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "How often?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ago." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can photograph?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, shoulder; "he's all right." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat room had already been engaged for us. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, has little to do with my story." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the fluttered off among the others. "She showed me, as I told you she would." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the putting in the horse. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Is 4 pounds a week.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the better grown goose." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to side. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she heavily into it. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "One of his hands." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holmes' thin, eager face. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have status with the IRS. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us awkward doing business with an alias." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Very. But will he see it?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Never." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she cigars in the box." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported late!' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire more solid." "And the cigar-holder?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position was shining brightly. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Yes, I promise.' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the awaited us upon the table. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on there is a decided draught." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second than was visible to me." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "The best possible." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a strength in the others." shall not find me ungrateful." him and tried to hold him back. him." the room while you explain this matter?" of his shoulders. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and no precautions can guard against." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "How did he come?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Yes, it was twisted." or other trace. But how on earth--" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other signal between you and your father? likely to be some crony of the landlady's." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the again before evening." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and