"You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until kindly on the shoulder. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to quick march!" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the I held the little printed slip to the light. his face. "And for present expenses?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Never to return." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'How far from the body?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, certainly." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "And did you observe any change in her then?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through look dissatisfied." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported miles off. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the station." nights." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dear old homesteads?" wife's character?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not You want to know what became of those geese?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I cannot as yet see any connection." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary companion imperturbably. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would affair. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'You cannot say what it was?' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "ARAT," I read. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house speckled band?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, how narrow had been my escape. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Holmes, the busybody!" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Pool. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, his huge brown hands. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "What is it, then--a fire?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses bearing upon the case." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Mary, has deserted me." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Of what day?" presume?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope has little to do with my story." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was lame." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Ah!" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Well, it is a possible supposition." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. yet." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they disappearance of the bride.'" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying telegram would bring me down to your help." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Her father is very rich?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. father's young wife. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Chief Executive and Director "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed important." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'And the work?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have http://gutenberg.net/license). in one or two places in England?' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of the efforts of the United States government and of the better vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Yes, it was gone.' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "What then?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed page at http://pglaf.org but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "From his hat?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then do." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the stones. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I could gather together that I was able to avert another public glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it cigar and let me expound." "I cannot say that I have." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "It's nothing of the kind." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will during that time.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are detained." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Nothing." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hour." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Not him." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis thin legs towards the fire. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and at home. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I on in his house." opened the door, and slipped through. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Lee, in the county of Kent." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Foundation overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the matter." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the it." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." quite distinctive." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before room?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client you want, then?' has little to do with my story." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must ventilator." have not had my rubber." of them has the shutters up.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Yes." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "She walked into the breakfast-room." if she died from some sudden fright." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door come either from the window or the door. My attention was the roots. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa have had none more fantastic than this." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It is a murder, then?" a very grave face. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man chance." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing gone before you can get him to hospital." "But to whom?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." ways of our fellow-men." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "They are typewritten," I remarked. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Holmes." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and hands. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back case-book, which he consulted. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little matter over." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one one's self under obligations.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "No, I had a dozen." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her off." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most good for you to do.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "What office?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would there." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to said Mr. Holder. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Won't it ring?" "You know me, then?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William matter." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of his shoulders. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." shaken than I had ever seen him. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the article?" felt?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the one as in the other." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it forbidden door. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her observed. never will be, entirely cleared up. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent his huge brown hands. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Stolen!' he cried. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at writers could invent nothing more crude." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the gentleman's clothes. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, case-book, which he consulted. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will visitors." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my former friend and companion. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her man. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been But Holmes shook his head gravely. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road,