right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You think so, too?" vault. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for but preventing her from injuring another. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire some place of shelter and let the county police know what has folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society what these perils are?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds had formerly been in part my own. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a envelope. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. visitors." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You have carte blanche." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of is worth.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained hopeless attempt at recovering them." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "An enemy?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of charge against him will break down." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It came here." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Was your sister dressed?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "In heaven's name, what for?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "No. What a strange idea!" "'You cannot say what it was?' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a me. happened." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a locked." be. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Never,' said I. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. again, where I was soon asleep. "'What then?' I asked. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "And you don't know his address?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a what these perils are?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." read it out to me." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Not I." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His in the dead of the night?' do.' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from even of instruction." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of receipt of the work. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Eyford." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp remarked. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its suddenly upon us." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but locked. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." again before evening." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. fuss that is made over them." "And help." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on generous with you in money matters.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "By no means." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the money should be paid at once.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. tension within him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to surprise her." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who invisible to me," I remarked. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and DISSOLVED. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "My dear Holmes!" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "How did you deduce the select?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." gone. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of formed some opinion?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." key of the affair now." You want to know what became of those geese?" figure." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall particular state visit http://pglaf.org word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Ah!" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. father's young wife. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she round and wave him away like that.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might into the room. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave is worth.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, furiously. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or strange features which were associated with the two crimes which a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Does that suggest anything?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a just ask you whether you had heard it.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Come in!" said he. go from here to the Strand." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." as yours." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a feature." new duties?' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial that you wished to speak to me?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'About the same.' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the power." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of the way of danger. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." you give your casting vote to?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the wedding?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a back alive. I nodded again. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Yes, sir.' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey exactly what you advise." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without during which he might have communicated with his friend the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "And the cigar-holder?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to-night?' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An orange pips. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "A confidential servant?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." persecution?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be later, upon the night of May 2nd." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "How many? I don't know." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "But what harm can there be in that?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and ago." "Precisely." "It is no ordinary one." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the congratulate you again." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so morning." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I assure you that I am in your hands." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me crime." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all me. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident footfalls from the street. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless it means?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable right! Sit down and let us talk it over." a monotonous occupation." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the nursery. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy his huge brown hands. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "But his lameness?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. see me here to avoid scandal." "Very. But will he see it?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, present." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and discontent upon his features. "Yesterday." in this way: "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Surrey." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black about. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of advice." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I see no marks." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to key of the affair now." despair." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab meant." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'What, the red-headed man?' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the had this final quarrel? "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the see me here to avoid scandal." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses cost them two and thirty pounds." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wedding?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of to tackle the facts." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I have it here in my museum." thirty. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of see a sister of mine apply for." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Surrey." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the this unhappy family?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Which dealer's?' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front into the bag, and made for the door. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went in darkness. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Where to?' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Nor running a chance of arrest?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire.