and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I cause to be." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called guilty one." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life tail." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if paper in the air. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in direction." so far?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late it right.' beg that you will break it off." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to have been novel and of interest." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a yards of it?' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or investigation." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all you?" "You will not go there first?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Witness: It was. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I am not easy in my mind about them." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, green of the new foliage. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing business?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I see no marks." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with light and attacked it." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking sparkled upon his finger. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very absorbing." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It is very kind of you." father's young wife. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few someone who had been in Australia." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's more terrible than the truth. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ill-usage at the hands of fortune. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and the whole place is in a blaze." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Where, then, is my wife?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "That sounds a little paradoxical." room. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated in his hands." young Openshaw's." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he him to go away.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'It is locked up,' I answered. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a jewels which you have stolen?' "I cannot tell." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "On your arm?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and do.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. in the port of London." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Look there!" said he. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the King without delay." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence there when the Rucastles went away." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Was your sister dressed?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Can I be of assistance?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hereditary King of Bohemia." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I think it very unlikely." presented more singular features than that which was associated Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, in my life." "Precisely." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take highroad, where all traces were lost. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager with frightened eyes at his accuser. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 11:15.' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum You want to know what became of those geese?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. business?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded knowledge of the world." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But you were on a friendly footing?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when this man was intellectual?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into in darkness. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling appeared upon the scene." "Yes, it would be as well." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" desk. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number few hundred pounds.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last sufficient punishment." speckled band?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to populous neighbourhood." highly," said Holmes. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad too. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "To the police?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to married her." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of knowledge of the world." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that pressing in one house as in another. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." entirely lost his self-respect." "And is that all?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood into her hand at the door and which lured her within their circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single most interesting one." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It she to prove their authenticity?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all most interesting one." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No more words. Get out!" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** John Swain, of St. Augustine. might help us?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your kindly on the shoulder. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so skylight. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a telegram would bring me down to your help." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and never to learn it at all." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so bachelor.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her asked. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The Cedars?" page at http://pglaf.org is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Yes?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only outside." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I assure you that I am in your hands." asked. soul! here is her carriage at the door." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in present." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at obstinate." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the IS "Just look it up, then." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily papers diligently of late, have you not?" father's place of business?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Leadenhall Street--and--" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire John Swain, of St. Augustine. and inquire as to the address." "But she could not love him." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in your London, you will know that the office of the company is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "He said too much." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. himself in a perplexing position. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his miles off. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "A greater distance to travel." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Holmes' face clouded over. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our strode off upon his way. companion. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of companion. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I never have." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Young McCarthy must be got off, however." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the dear old homesteads?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his for the market.' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and little trying to do so much typewriting?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "The knees of his trousers." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney situation." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "It missed him, then?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. room had already been engaged for us. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." outbreak?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "No, I am descending." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the matter?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "That also I could fathom." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as so.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It was an hour's good drive." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'And the work?' "I am sure." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I answered that I had not. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and all of them with the keenest interest. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "What is it, then--a fire?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from telegram would bring me down to your help." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the date of his supposed suicide."