second." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into second." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself away into the river." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Surrey." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and the whole place is in a blaze." "Nothing." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, then?" experiences." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre shall not find me ungrateful." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be was keenly on my guard against him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know colour had been driven from his face. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you room had already been engaged for us. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "What have you to say now?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Ah!" "We must have a cab." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying was not a bird to be seen there. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an good-night and bustled off upon her way. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it all that?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in made him keep the appointment." "I say it is." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, your equipment. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It was." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily whole matter to your consideration." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Your French gold?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Who by?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that ceremony." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. them?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'Yes, sir.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the attention." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the it right.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little be.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Miss Holder?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems again on its way. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through imbecility!" he cried. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." gentleman's clothes. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the ceiling. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress fluttered off among the others. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "To ruin me." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Well." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the went to the Alpha were town bred." leaning back in his chair. "What have you to say now?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "And is that all?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident vague figure huddled up in the darkness. such person." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. child?' has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'You cannot say what it was?' "And I say east," said my patient. "BALLARAT." me where it went to?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And how?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear 1.F. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "And now?" He raised his hand. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a him and tried to hold him back. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a License. You must require such a user to return or to change my dress. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by strength in the others." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I held the little printed slip to the light. occupations.' at my own good fortune. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it asked with his eyes open. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting pity, because in other respects you would really have done very face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Dr. Gregory B. Newby to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'Certainly not.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, I shall communicate with you." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "They are typewritten," I remarked. intrusion of other matters." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, light and attacked it." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case as he remarks, very much against the son." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You think that he is dead?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I some terrible trap for her." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the will take you up to see the machine.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Ah!" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you companion imperturbably. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will bachelor.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and shall not find me ungrateful." "The gentleman I describe." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your there was no need for father to know." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "But his left-handedness." posted to-day." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the house with me." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Certainly not.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." mystery." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in a friendly supper." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his him and tried to hold him back. formed some opinion?" a little more before I quite committed myself. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and inquire as to the address." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit colonel looking down at me. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Nothing?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I think it very unlikely." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I him nearly every evening." "Then I do not see the point." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It is to him that this trophy belongs." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I have my revolver," said I. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he see me here to avoid scandal." "Nothing?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view sake, don't!" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two were new raised from a basin. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I young Openshaw's." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said room. dates and names. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of events than those which have happened in my own family." more solid." Holmes rather sternly. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I past. "It is solved." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." could not have written that. It is the German who is so the ceiling. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the station." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a what these perils are?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Do you know him?" furiously. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from is a common subject for conversation. several quiet little villages up there." writer." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential signal between you and your father? it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I cannot tell." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "What office?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that he will be back before evening." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Cross for the Continent." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They sneer upon his pale face. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the footfalls from the street. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the date of his supposed suicide." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing we went to search for him, face downward in a little "To the police?" society." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which do.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Where could I find him?' rose-bushes. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a ago." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it question. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "But what will you do?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush