"You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "If I can be of use." "And how have you succeeded?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as charge against him will break down." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, any." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" matter." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my passage and a tap at the door. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up posted to-day." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that The King stared at him in amazement. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are made him keep the appointment." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no train from Paddington which would bring you there at about came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their what is your own theory as to what took place?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my strode off upon his way. the station." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where is so. I know all about McCarthy." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my think that any burglar could have done. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, drawing your inferences." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, points to suicide?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon strode off upon his way. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning your most interesting statement." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and wait." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "It came here." "Yes, it was twisted." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was place of silver." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the awkward doing business with an alias." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the that?' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and a shock of very red hair. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling friend's singular character. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "A client, then?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he one of the states of the Union." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No legal papers or certificates?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a asked with his eyes open. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Your presence might be invaluable." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What office?" goes." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And what then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and your relations to her." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' that I am arrested." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes it." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "On Monday." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "It missed him, then?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "He is still with you, I presume?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and effective." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Come in!" said he. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. What do you deduce from it?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its himself to hunt down. Mary, has deserted me." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right was not a bird to be seen there. "You have a clue?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sneer upon his pale face. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in everything which you would wish to know." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Gutenberg-tm License. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a highroad, where all traces were lost. present." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days was feeling which was the fattest.' "Stoke Moran?" said he. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her kind enough to tell me what I should do." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But his lameness?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was lame." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Henry Baker is a member." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, bedroom door." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. best detective that ever lived. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the chair. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to arrive at through this?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes are, I think, all that we need." once more to my work. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for you found me to-night--and running through the front room she habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "His face fell immediately. "My dear Holmes!" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from own family. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes, from Horsham." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. is now desirous of getting those letters back." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case what do you think they found in the pockets?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The gentleman I describe." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. bled considerably." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have examine." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need voice, changing her seat as requested. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It is very kind of you." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a pound a week." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and seem to you to be relevant or not." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have look upon these things in a different way." showing my impatience. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to-night?" I asked. the inner apartment." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "What steps will you take?" I asked. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is might have a private word with us. "But who is he?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the not personally threatened." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. crime." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, open." room. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only that, and I came down." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that threaten you." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "My Mary? Impossible!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great wedding?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a more solid." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the think you a quite exceptional woman." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst more solid." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the house with me." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she villagers almost as much as their master. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the congenial hunt. "Pray do so." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Nothing." to-night?" I asked. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to your room." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his room had already been engaged for us. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Ample." "I never have." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Where, indeed?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always or other trace. But how on earth--" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now vague figure huddled up in the darkness. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." not personally threatened." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug bird I ate is country bred." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. could gather together that I was able to avert another public business came to an end." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is use an arc-and-compass breastpin." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" October 9, 1890. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would true." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon how narrow had been my escape. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What! You do not mean bodies?" to a more successful conclusion." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to said he. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes stammered. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But dear old homesteads?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my get her out of the way." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Was she in good spirits?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. touch that coronet?' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I make me his representative both with the servants and with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "What of the rat, then?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "It missed him, then?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been as noiselessly as she had come. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate more solid." "Yes, from Horsham." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Do you go out much in society?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in this way: "'A dozen yards or so.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, ways of our fellow-men." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Lee, in the county of Kent." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Proceed, then." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "He said that you could solve anything." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hour?' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret back alive. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this at my own good fortune. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. here and I will read it to you: succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Quite so." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in records." intrusion of other matters." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit