"Get out!" said he. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Indeed! Whose, then?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gbnewby@pglaf.org during that time.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "ARAT," I read. interested in these little problems, and since you are good my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "About a month then." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Ten will be early enough." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's before the coroner and the police-court." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of answer." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little handed it to him. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the roots. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to Leatherhead. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe been with you?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "No, I think that I'll take it." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Where did he live, then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "But how?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not think that he is innocent?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to have that photograph." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in during that time.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up it." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little lips." be sorry for having acted so harshly." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "We were both in the photograph." "About a month then." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Yes, I promise.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in possible that we could bring him back to her? particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully taking in every detail of the apartment. fear." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the meant it for the best. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with persecution?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and my secret was safe in his possession. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of a light. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Deserted you?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to one's self under obligations.' "I am armed." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Pray let us have it, for all that." business." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to some terrible trap for her." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "It must be recovered." you." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the morning." bird of prey. papers." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Holmes' face clouded over. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I words came to my lips. sofa. This way, please!" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something yards of it?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! your sleep?' is a common subject for conversation. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my ways including including checks, online payments and credit card you came in." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." pound a week." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and the whole place is in a blaze." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Bought." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should way: his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at cup of tea. "And how did you verify them?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And from a noble client?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I shall be delighted." "Has he come with you to-night?" paper in the air. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." both be extremely obliged.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'Is 4 pounds a week.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I am armed." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him important." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural intrusion of other matters." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "That is easily got." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the just called myself is not exactly my own." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It floor. residence of the great financier. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in look upon these things in a different way." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. was shining brightly. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Yes." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The daring than any effort of the imagination." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You will not go there first?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." which our visitor detailed to us. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and your relations to her." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "The murder was done with it." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of mystery!" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would to-night?' delirious. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The asked. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed a room. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Why, what do you mean?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Count Von Kramm." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "What then?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. trying to your nerves." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the house with me." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I say that I have solved it." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was shining brightly. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still did not hear it also.' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" colonel looking down at me. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to have been novel and of interest." union?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, formed some opinion?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Not him." mystery." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "No, but the enclosure is." a little more before I quite committed myself. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may cup of tea. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From begun to whiten, even as mine has." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight highly," said Holmes. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Stoke Moran." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? shall use the carriage to-night." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his unkempt, staring out at me. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and families. Now for the facts. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, It may be so in this case, also." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And how did he make his money?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised quite distinctive." "You horrify me." again." occupations.' any." "Perfectly so." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I unkempt, staring out at me. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE important." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And I." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "And why?" of receipt of the work. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The second window is the one that I jumped from." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'About the same.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up works. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Your French gold?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You are hungry," I remarked. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man His smile broadened. so far?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "How do you know, then?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and have had none more fantastic than this." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I him. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "My last client of the sort was a king." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were whatever might befall. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "But not more so than I to find you." question," said Holmes, smiling. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as one else, I think." "But how will you look?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round bed dies. Does not that strike you?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the general public were present, then?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Leave Paddington by the 11:15." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my His smile broadened. "He disappeared so suddenly." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "In which, sir?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed memory. unclasping of his long thin hands. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back trying to your nerves." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" For additional contact information: the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, events than those which have happened in my own family." shoulder; "he's all right." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You are all wrong." "How are you getting on?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the driver. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, me what he had done with the three missing stones. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when what I may call a really hard day's work." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Stoke Moran?" said he. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set following enigmatical notices: hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "But your client--" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be