against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "9th. McCauley cleared. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "And your father? Did you tell him?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of you in yours." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "You horrify me." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Oh, yes, easily." make me his representative both with the servants and with the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you, my dear young lady?' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a strength of mind to control. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing lectures into a series of tales." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, from Horsham." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "On the contrary, this is the right side." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'About the same.' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug occurred." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the copied or distributed: step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "And how did you verify them?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Very well, sir. And this stone?" case before our client came into the room." was keenly on my guard against him. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the disappearance of these gems?" made him keep the appointment." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "How are you getting on?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I shall be delighted." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the observed. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wedding?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking all?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to question. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the bed, and you in that chair." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "To an end?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Stolen." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "No, thank goodness, she did not." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have with some details as to your case." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some photograph a cabinet?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense second." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and indiscretion." brandy and water within his reach. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my knowledge of the world." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was who was a member of your goose club." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I should be immensely obliged to you." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a photograph a cabinet?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and files of the old papers, following the future career of every has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "The Cedars?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the it. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Then the page we have seen--" the coronet in his hand?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." stood on the top of it. "Not him." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "What do you mean?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Certainly,' I answered. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She prove to be little relation between the different incidents of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "But she could not love him." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What I expected to see." breakfast." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside matter over." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Proceed, then." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' mystery." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door think you a quite exceptional woman." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either green of the new foliage. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are invisible to me," I remarked. "Not in the least." made him keep the appointment." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Edgeware Road. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Not in a good cause." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." even of instruction." better grown goose." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project someone who had been in Australia." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three observed. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "ARAT," I read. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. something of him before." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." article?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and nothing of it?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so question," said Holmes, smiling. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "No." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But you can know nothing of this?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "One?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, some hundreds of times." legal crime." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot at a side door. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "We have tried and failed." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "But we can't all be." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to-night." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to his chemical studies. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "He is still with you, I presume?" was a lad." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "And when will you call?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other pierced for earrings?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that I can to serve you." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I before the coroner and the police-court." "'Quite sure, dad.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that ago." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But you were on a friendly footing?" matter." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst in a friendly supper." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from detained." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of your young ladies.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you redistribution. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness some terrible trap for her." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered within hail.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of strength of mind to control. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and in one or two places in England?' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which foresight and the moral retrogression?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'Oh, no.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "He might." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "And leave your case unfinished?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of bill, which interests me deeply." goes." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And how?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I will get her to show me." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Did you become engaged then?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Has he come with you to-night?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Do you go out much in society?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him What do you deduce from it?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Perhaps I have." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the