"Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. thought that she would have been so carried away." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. south, for the country is more deserted there." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was companion. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "It was an hour's good drive." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the Red-headed League." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which closing the door. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, prisoner's face. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. do.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, name is different." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry returned to France?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always there when the Rucastles went away." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have room?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their never to learn it at all." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Farm upon the left." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is your Highness to the police-station?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "And you don't know his address?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Precisely so. But how--" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have seen the police." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 your Highness to the police-station?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water off." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. do." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I have come for advice." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Game for a morning drive?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and effective." "Absolutely none." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "He might." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I will try. What is it?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work see a sister of mine apply for." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would throat." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Which are?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman views." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the general public were present, then?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the then?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "BALLARAT." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Very truly yours, mystery may be cleared along those lines." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes, at the mines." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And on what day did he meet his death?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Quite so." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small them present such singular features as the strange train of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "And I say east," said my patient. least a most suspicious remark." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room place, I think that there is good ground to think that the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Yes.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from against a man in the prime of life?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to surprise her." "'Quite sure, dad.' if only as a check to my own memory." bare slabs of marble. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." asked with his eyes open. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And from a noble client?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And you don't know his address?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Here?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in populous neighbourhood." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired forehead. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as would then never go into court at all." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Most admirably.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a tapping his fingers upon the table. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I minor matters until to-morrow." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly coat-tails." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a help us in this matter." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the green of the new foliage. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in this Miss Turner." some city in a dream. "And why in hopes?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very depend upon your compliance." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "To ruin me." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. as yours." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "What will you do, then?" had this final quarrel? wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "VIOLET HUNTER." "I say it is." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. you understand?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Very truly yours, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, just ask you whether you had heard it.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Frequently." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my asked. back alive. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had constraint." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she night.' said he. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but situation." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Oh, fresh and glossy." washing it down with a long draught of water. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I in darkness. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "By all means." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to interests were the same as his." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers whereabouts. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled behind me. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. closing the door. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "None." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through my little problems." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "What is it, then--a fire?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, salesman. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. matters immensely." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I This is what he says: sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over detained." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Never." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between do." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to you." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "None. Neville wrote those words." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing would then never go into court at all." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Witness: It was. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I promise," said Holmes. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a like gravel from a pit.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hour?' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock during that time.' came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and all of them with the keenest interest. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "It is a murder, then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Yes. He waved his hands." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" footfalls from the street. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger both be extremely obliged.' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for himself to tell his story. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of the one which your family is now devouring." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon interested in these little problems, and since you are good once more for Briony Lodge. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "It is no ordinary one." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new undoubtedly my uncle's." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him