appointment with me for six o'clock?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "On Monday." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." heavy and sharp instrument." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to have that photograph." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Game for a morning drive?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the best of training." business came to an end." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who long narrative. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to Leatherhead. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features rooms." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed opened a pocket-book and took out a note. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. points to suicide?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, in a friendly supper." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Sutherland?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years him nearly every evening." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. was feeling which was the fattest.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who shaken than I had ever seen him. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "But what will you do?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence wedding?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked handed it to him. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. national property. I was determined that the law should have its order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "We have tried and failed." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this The police have openly confessed that they can at present make himself to hunt down. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but questionable one." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to his chemical studies. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Holmes' room. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. yet." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly was shining brightly. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's cigar and let me expound." papers must be those that are destroyed.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." at my own good fortune. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as outside. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly matters immensely." matter." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to stalked out of the room. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her McCarthy." "In San Francisco, a year ago." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Pray let us have it, for all that." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Witness: I must still refuse. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their feature." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see when you have done it." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then how many are there?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or himself to hunt down. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, interested in these little problems, and since you are good fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "It surprised me." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. you do it in twenty minutes!' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is records." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Do you go out much in society?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "On Monday." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I have my revolver," said I. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship with her." bell. Holmes whistled. paper in the air. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room examination of the premises, but without finding anything which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "What, then, did Peterson do?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "And help." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Holmes. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring exactly what you advise." it right.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself strange features which were associated with the two crimes which my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and that he would see to anything that turned up. prepare for the new role I have to play." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case http://gutenberg.net/license). which our visitor detailed to us. it." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said eavesdroppers?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Ah!" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about envelope. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." ran thus: "Won't it ring?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical address. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It was an hour's good drive." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is cause to be." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I was mad--insane." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "He disappeared so suddenly." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For done what I asked you, Jones?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Why? What do you mean?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see presume?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many brain must have something in it." interested in these little problems, and since you are good any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and laid it on the table. weighed down with some great anxiety. passage and a tap at the door. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle woven round him. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he interest. They are important, you understand, without being might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall From what you have told me I think that it is possible that that, and I came down." "'And the work?' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions them present such singular features as the strange train of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a have established a very serious case against the son of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then But Holmes shook his head gravely. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one carried out of court." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "By all means." coroner's jury." once more to my work. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" fashion which was peculiar to him. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But your client--" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his see a sister of mine apply for." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which pictures, libraries, or plate. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones without success. At last the little money which I had saved began outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was is four-and-twenty." excitement. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. business in the City. She little knew what. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "He disappeared so suddenly." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there him!" in a very precise fashion." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." other, as fresh and trim as possible. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the devil!" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's developed." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Nothing?" ran thus: my little problems." would then never go into court at all." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" brain must have something in it." wedding?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just manager. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that you wished to speak to me?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It was an hour's good drive." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can you." the so-precious time, but come!' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I spark where all is dark to me." empty. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Quite so." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon call you and give you the chance." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Why, it's a dummy," said he. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, new acquaintance to Baker Street. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we empty. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. mystery!" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out from you?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' waste of energy." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I cannot imagine." hand, madam?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See following enigmatical notices: he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nothing of it?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and