he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "But his left-handedness." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give II. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "He said that you could solve anything." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Yesterday." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." nothing with him." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." taking in every detail of the apartment. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" passage and a tap at the door. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yes, that is the Crown." have I gained?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Does that suggest anything?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "What then?" "He is still with you, I presume?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "No, I think that I'll take it." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I be.' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." opportunities to fix the problem. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Come in!" said Holmes. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a within hail.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We outside." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "He might." newspaper selections." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and no precautions can guard against." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect his face. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "No?" "My photograph." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming suspect him." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I held the little printed slip to the light. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that, and I came down." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his shoulder. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you you in yours." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And Irene Adler?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." hurried away. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest The events in question occurred in the early days of my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And on what day did he meet his death?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he before, for it was considerably after midnight. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was plantation.' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall gigantic client. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hands. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps our word." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Yes, I have one waiting." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That's no good." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Was the window open?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was used.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "My opinion is in no way altered." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. of them has the shutters up.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, such person." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" speckled band?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Not at all. I only doubt--' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have behind me. could gather together that I was able to avert another public feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements did not hear it also.' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest prisoner's face. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's three of the beryls in it, was missing. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, sir." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have must compliment you." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that arrangements." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from begin with, and I had not got mine yet." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. disappearance of the bride.'" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were learned something! Where are the gems?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very 1.E.9. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either which was all perfectly true. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "And who is her maid?" "The doctor?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. instincts rose up against that laugh. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution shaken than I had ever seen him. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "How can you tell that?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the 11:15.' depend upon my doing so.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter green of the new foliage. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Holmes rather sternly. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to a more successful conclusion." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted memory. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" main points of my analysis." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "And the cigar-holder?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said envelope. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you orange pips. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that yards of it?' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the events than those which have happened in my own family." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over desk. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Very. But will he see it?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new gbnewby@pglaf.org "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Precisely." "Yes." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a three fields round his house, and there he would take his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, always that they were such commands as a lady might with playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "There is the writing." people in all walks of life. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "But how did you gain them?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Of Friday, June 19th." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may 1.E.9. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "That you are never beaten." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, fishes. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "You did not overhear what they said?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "And did you observe any change in her then?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret man. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian she used." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have weighed down with some great anxiety. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Absolutely none." "What!" he roared. vanished into the darkness. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Yes." guilty one." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the not within a twentieth part of the market price." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I am about to be married." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "None." hour." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And who is her maid?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of friend's singular character. "I do." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" galvanised. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We your co-operation." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I think that I could be of assistance to you." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at get her out of the way." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that, and I came down." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. him and tried to hold him back. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the call you and give you the chance." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I will not look." opened the door, and slipped through. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair even so self-evident a thing as that." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I