throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I shall continue with my miserable story. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with quickly through a disagreeable task. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I assure you that I am in your hands." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was not a bird to be seen there. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hurried by. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right asked with his eyes open. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a late." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a than was visible to me." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become answer." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "And the cigar-holder?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands girl said." "One?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "But what is it you wish?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." records." eavesdroppers?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for could gather together that I was able to avert another public respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable happened." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that he will be back before evening." crackling voice. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are burst out into a roar of laughter. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like recover the gem." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced lamp in his hand. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Stolen, then." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I have it here in my museum." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the instincts rose up against that laugh. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the date of his supposed suicide." your bag." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." place of silver." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the forecastle of an emigrant ship. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'I have heard so.' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," me." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I have hopes." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Where, then?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "He disappeared so suddenly." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an spark where all is dark to me." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. death." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the or in danger--" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are bore every mark of being an average commonplace British convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them arrangements." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. fire. You quite follow me?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. me have 200 pounds?' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner long narrative. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of indiscretion." "When did she vanish, then?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from indeed happy." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Is purely nominal.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Witness: It was. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend character. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one taking in every detail of the apartment. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Certainly." "And Irene Adler?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Your presence might be invaluable." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "How about poison?" "And your mother is alive?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered highroad, where all traces were lost. "It looks newer than the other things?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "What I expected to see." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry pity, because in other respects you would really have done very yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert get her out of the way." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "You have carte blanche." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "That is it on the dressing-table." excitement. "Why? What do you mean?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Arthur Conan Doyle remarked. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Won't it ring?" legal crime." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "9th. McCauley cleared. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Very well, sir. And this stone?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Absolutely none." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but floor. second." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Absolutely?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the ceiling. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and unprofitable." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I have solved it." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to tackle the facts." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes. He waved his hands." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sentimental considerations in the background which would induce strength of mind to control. "She will not sell." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gone. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Yes, I have one waiting." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat dates and names. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Will you bet, then?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers answered with a sidelong glance. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "No. What a strange idea!" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He indiscretion." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant learned something! Where are the gems?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And how in the world did you find them?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," you." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was like gravel from a pit.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the only touch the interest." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the coronet at all injured?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a are windows in it, of course?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at strong reason behind." ready to-morrow?' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "One?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'I have already given you my word.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Not yet." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my to take care of herself." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before gone before you can get him to hospital." and looked back. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "My Mary? Impossible!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do me upon any point which I do not make clear." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he cheerful." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, delirious. back into the street. "That is unusual in a young girl." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "So I heard. You have him here?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "But how did you gain them?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Ah!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little your most interesting statement." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had formerly been in part my own. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Her father is very rich?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to me. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Entirely." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six at a side door. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she hereditary King of Bohemia." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And when will you call?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened leaning back in his chair. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while garden below. "It is no ordinary one." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with colour had been driven from his face. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of case-book, which he consulted. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" walking." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the John Swain, of St. Augustine.