suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort electronic works that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and least a fellow-countryman. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I see many objections to any such theory." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our arrested. You then--" little trying to do so much typewriting?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which it had come upon my father." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered what these perils are?" the tragedy. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "But you would not advise me to refuse?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Perfectly so." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked stood on the top of it. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else looking up at the numbers of the houses." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "None." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As again before evening." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, he did." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Certainly." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice returning from some small jollification and was making his way furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I should like to see him very much." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Imitated." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to about. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices might have a private word with us. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fatally injured? on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "At the wedding breakfast." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away go from here to the Strand." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." during that time.' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I say that I have solved it." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "By train from Waterloo." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I am armed." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we situation." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was not a bird to be seen there. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of them?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed was a lad." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed whatever might befall. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Nothing." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Young McCarthy must be got off, however." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. himself. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Ample." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that them?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes. He waved his hands." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own when your master had gone out." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was kind enough to tell me what I should do." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. washing it down with a long draught of water. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to you want, then?' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'What, the red-headed man?' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in yards of it?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it towards the blaze. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would matter over." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it if she died from some sudden fright." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. which are rolled in Rotterdam." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the ceiling. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. look dissatisfied." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. I have it here in my museum." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his bird of prey. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down generous with you in money matters.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What shall I do?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! enough to aid us in our search." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, this man was intellectual?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said see me here to avoid scandal." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, that he has suffered." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he outbreak?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his will not take me long to tell. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the developed." "You saw the ventilator, too?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the coroner come to?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Pray do so." jewels which you have stolen?' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be upon the sideboard." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "My own seal." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the photograph?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled conclusions. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I say it is." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Yes, it was twisted." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It surprised me." written, and locked the door of the office after me. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "What are they?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that I may have something better before very many minutes are of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came sentimental considerations in the background which would induce a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he or in danger--" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black into the room. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I do." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Get out!" said he. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes." "You horrify me." "Entirely." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his face which made him a very different person to the round, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a together. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might means taking possession of that which another person has a prior nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. if only as a check to my own memory." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." furiously. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the Friday. Was it to be in church?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point of note-paper. It read in this fashion: chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a night.' said he. been shamefully used." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the salesman. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of fine shops and stately business premises that they really signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not heavily into it. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Perhaps we may make them less so." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if at once, for I have only half an hour." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Street. License. You must require such a user to return or and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what you." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And how in the world did you find them?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'I have already given you my word.' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Yes." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in