any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' too. might help us?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you mystery may be cleared along those lines." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." already been minutely examined." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hour?' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the some terrible trap for her." charge against him will break down." this as likely?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the coronet in his hands?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There shall not find me ungrateful." jewels which you have stolen?' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. garden below. I shall continue with my miserable story. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "No, my brougham is waiting." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Quite so." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "And did you observe any change in her then?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "No." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key but preventing her from injuring another. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to least a most suspicious remark." delighted to hear it," he said. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and it right.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the McCarthy's innocence. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That also I could fathom." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "By train from Waterloo." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in darkness. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You have carte blanche." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it been shamefully used." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Married! When?" matters immensely." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Where did he live, then?" 1.E.9. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the fasten all the windows?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall something of him before." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. attention." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'Yes, it was gone.' said I. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until is," said he presently: main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of question. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "A confidential servant?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, I have one waiting." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, your Highness to the police-station?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." in darkness. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich which should have the effect of calling the attention of the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most outsides of the windows. through." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you came in." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." think that he is innocent?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between frequently gained my first real insight into the character of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be forehead. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you." people in all walks of life. was it brought him the coronet? usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a companion. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness or in danger--" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, distinguish the words: "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, wall." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four house for five minutes.' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall reach." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Leadenhall Street--and--" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the bottom.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Just look it up, then." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and success. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And Irene Adler?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a grasp, he hurried from the room. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "We have tried and failed." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, trying to your nerves." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and in the port of London." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be her also." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my one of the states of the Union." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I cannot tell." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'There is a drive, then?' the coronet in his hands?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It was close upon four before the door opened, and a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I will get her to show me." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the his cane at the bell-pull. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Was the window open?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away my secret was safe in his possession. empty. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being discontent upon his features. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our trying to your nerves." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who never to learn it at all." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to a light-house. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, relief. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the me upon any point which I do not make clear." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." remarked. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable swore that no one else had been in the front room during the she might be summoned. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! very peculiar words of the dying woman?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both recall any case within my experience which looked at the first who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced yet." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my tension within him. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'Yes, I promise.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the outbreak?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in business in the City. She little knew what. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands our word." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. for and were ordered to this address. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small your own bird, so if you wish--" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined help us in this matter." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a villagers almost as much as their master. unprecedented a position." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "And Miss Sutherland?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' note?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "In the cells." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security him." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Then the page we have seen--" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Why? What do you mean?" "'Never,' said I. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or singular points about the case. What did the police think of the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Yes." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. arrangements." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will for its centre. question," said Holmes, smiling. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted be best to do. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Oh, no.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon were unconscious?" "'There is a drive, then?' know all about it," he snarled. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he infinite languor in his face. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One himself to hunt down. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "The rest you will leave in our hands." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, you." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I will do it." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't experiences." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before