rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But you were on a friendly footing?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this extraordinary contortions. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "He disappeared so suddenly." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you want, then?' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was as yours." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he shall use the carriage to-night." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently occurred." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, soul! here is her carriage at the door." sufficient punishment." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I was afraid that you were engaged." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the stepfather?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "You are all wrong." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the congenial hunt. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was a perfect sample of the class. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I approached. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person might have a private word with us. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "She told me to ask you." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in horse could go." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was charged with?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. business in the City. She little knew what. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking in my life." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me stood on the top of it. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements extraordinary contortions. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Then you may entirely rely on me." fluttered off among the others. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You saw the ventilator, too?" problems help me to do so." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself said he. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "And I." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked not come at once?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "How often?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both right! Sit down and let us talk it over." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Is he quiet?" gbnewby@pglaf.org from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then lost nothing by them." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we You can understand that this register and diary may implicate that, and I came down." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent said he. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the certainly not very gracious." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Doctor, of the paper and the date." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where quick march!" me upon any point which I do not make clear." lost his Christmas dinner." go back?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is DISSOLVED. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that views." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian our word." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of round with crates and massive boxes. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, yourselves in at night?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, way: been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in ceremony." "But what is it you wish?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful maid will bring up your coffee." said I. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. soul! here is her carriage at the door." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I am still in the dark." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Never." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies good-night and bustled off upon her way. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into God! What an exposure! What can I do?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had it." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had placed his cuttings. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Was she in good spirits?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the coronet in his hand?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out could not have written that. It is the German who is so wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Married! When?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And why in hopes?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Very good.' "Texas, I think." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "And the murderer?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Holmes' face clouded over. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to affect your life." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she for securing the situation." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Oh, no.' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so been with you?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a thirty. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that good for you to do.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on there!' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sutherland?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I was concerned in it." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very she might be summoned. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I what these perils are?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "If so, much may have happened between." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in some city in a dream. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Yes, sir." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress bed dies. Does not that strike you?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "The best possible." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel already referred to. something of him before." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. an introduction to him?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. observed. figure." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Yes, it would be as well." "Perfectly so." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such article?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with showing my impatience. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that your sleep?' were new raised from a basin. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Has he come with you to-night?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Stolen, then." "9th. McCauley cleared. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise American. Then who could this American be, and why should he India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "VIOLET HUNTER." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me know all about it," he snarled. of receipt of the work. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of receipt of the work. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible 1.F. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'Where to?' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I know where it is." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my views." criminal. We have already had experience of such." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the be sorry for having acted so harshly." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear mysterious end." whole matter to your consideration." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to present." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Pray do so." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the writing, and yet I know it well." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. lips." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have as he remarks, very much against the son." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I interests were the same as his." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "In which, sir?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Only as much as we can deduce." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his