as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest brandy and water within his reach. already referred to. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "That also I could fathom." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the compunction about shooting them down." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You have but to name it." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the telegram would bring me down to your help." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we detective. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "He said too much." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the sparkled upon his finger. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than call it cruel." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Did he not advertise?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch silent! Oh, he will be silent!' lost nothing by them." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my DISSOLVED. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Stolen." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "An accident, I presume?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his golden eyeglasses. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the putting in the horse. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the so far?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they redistribution. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove to-night?" I asked. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Arthur Conan Doyle or in danger--" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to nothing of it?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps be best to do. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution there is a decided draught." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were for securing the situation." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to take care of herself." companion. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "No, I had a dozen." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your from the brougham. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one bore every mark of being an average commonplace British one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of this gang." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from you." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "And what did you learn from him?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, client, rising. beyond words. of." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up new duties?' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. note?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you James Windibank. Voilà tout!" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I made him keep the appointment." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this miles off. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Not him." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "He disappeared so suddenly." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to-night?" I asked. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Not particularly." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Holmes." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been know what is wrong with it.' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and once more to my work. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that writers could invent nothing more crude." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "This concluded the examination of the witness." to miss it." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know quick march!" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was before the coroner and the police-court." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Then you may entirely rely on me." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door pity, because in other respects you would really have done very tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your back into the street. thin legs towards the fire. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at system of imprisonment?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Did your wife hear all this?" once more for Briony Lodge. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Not him." never came back." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in this way: it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the child." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "That is it on the dressing-table." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to said I. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, depend upon my doing so.' "Why did you pick him?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our have not had my rubber." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the general public were present, then?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "What have you to say now?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four extraordinary contortions. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event out." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." back to my heart. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Where to?' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "No." I held the little printed slip to the light. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed call for protection in the marriage market, for the present nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Who by?" "Nearly eleven." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Holmes. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I am all attention, madam." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. morning." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "There is the writing." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I this Miss Turner." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "No, I had a dozen." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. he bowed and left the room without another word. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible certainly do as you advise." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival be best to do. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled imbecility!" he cried. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this what I may call a really hard day's work." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had results." shoulder. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement disappearance of these gems?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the weapon." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Witness: I must still refuse. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between emerged. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "By no means." address. Foundation would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Murdered?" she might be summoned. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the so-precious time, but come!' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "And on what day did he meet his death?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would I was concerned in it." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square daring than any effort of the imagination." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the round and wave him away like that.' as he folded up the epistle. "How did he come?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. fear." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No." "Yes." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I assure you that I am in your hands." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the bears upon the case?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "It is half-past ten now." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Can I be of assistance?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. something of him before." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." giving me time to thank him. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, she used." one's self under obligations.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "One of his hands." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I guessed as much." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Mary, has deserted me." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into me." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, gives a meaning to it." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which was a perfect sample of the class. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I was mad--insane." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I have solved it." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and glanced through. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "My private note-paper." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the placed his cuttings. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever.