pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble could gather together that I was able to avert another public seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature respectable self." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be taking in every detail of the apartment. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his one of them." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "But what will you do?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I would give my fortune to have them back." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford bell. Holmes whistled. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "But we can't all be." voice, changing her seat as requested. nights." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the detained." and inquire as to the address." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the be.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "But she will refuse." "No." This is what he says: the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a to talk it over. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Witness: I must still refuse. residence of the great financier. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Entirely.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party four million human beings all jostling each other within the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his knees, staring into the fire. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "The King of Scandinavia." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "It was a confession," I ejaculated. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father have an American origin." "'Certainly not. But why?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the it means?" "My private note-paper." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Nothing?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" so far?" most interesting one." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "And you don't know his address?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a comes from the middle window." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You forget that I know nothing about it." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded there is a decided draught." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I shall most certainly do so." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "The landlord of the Alpha." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be main points of my analysis." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I think that I could be of assistance to you." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and I shall be with you presently." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Why serious?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which one which it was hard to resist. to Leatherhead. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can status with the IRS. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is congenial hunt. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some call for protection in the marriage market, for the present It may be so in this case, also." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp highroad, where all traces were lost. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks been." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "One?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pierced for earrings?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be to Leatherhead. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes, there are nearly always some there." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I shall most certainly do so." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, acquaintance?" "I have hopes." was keenly on my guard against him. rose-bushes. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything congenial hunt. DAMAGE. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage made his money." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I cannot imagine." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his your troubles." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning a few minutes he said that it would be all right. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the stones. "To ruin me." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "At what time?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as all-comprehensive glances. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here was feeling which was the fattest.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Did you observe the colour?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' status with the IRS. ordinary clothes on?" "'Where to?' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be business." from the brougham. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now promised to bring home. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary you found me to-night--and running through the front room she over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I II. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! License. You must require such a user to return or "It missed him, then?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the Assizes." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Texas, I think." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that colour had been driven from his face. "She will not sell." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in fact, we may call it conclusive." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never green of the new foliage. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely in his power. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that he bowed and left the room without another word. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And I to find an enemy." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Why serious?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "She told me to ask you." "I answered that I had not. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more States. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Cross for the Continent." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "The King of Scandinavia." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There maiden herself was most instructive." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Ten will be early enough." have I gained?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced murdered man." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man business." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me him to go away.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, forebodings. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Then let me do so?' eavesdroppers?' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "What! a murderous attack?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, speckled band?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will once more. the coroner come to?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco grasp, he hurried from the room. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Lee, in the county of Kent." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that straightened it out again. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It is a murder, then?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't careless servant girl?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but know that the truth is known." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "What, then?" "It is very clear." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Certainly, madam." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like but preventing her from injuring another. "Yes, sir." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke clang of the bell. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just went to the Alpha were town bred." footfalls from the street. "Was there a secret marriage?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I have it here in my museum." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring instincts rose up against that laugh. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that threaten you." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I guessed as much." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I assure you that I am in your hands." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' definite end. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Texas, I think." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What is it?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a most interesting one." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "How about poison?" chemical work which was so dear to him. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came ordinary clothes on?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right is four-and-twenty." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was approach us with offers to donate. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Yes, from Horsham." existence." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. is worth.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Do you know him?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There have accepted such a situation. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to be there in time for your coming." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow characteristics, but those are the more obvious." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most her also." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss October 9, 1890. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I will get her to show me." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point in the dead of the night?' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the who was a member of your goose club." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "So I am. Very much so." over here." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he that he has suffered." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I see no marks." away into the river." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, dead, shall be safe with us." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Yes, I promise.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope,