the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the colonel ushered me in. about here speaks of his kindness to him." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to ready to-morrow?' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "And why?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And why?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I never have." him. "She walked into the breakfast-room." Holmes' face clouded over. already been minutely examined." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I have solved it." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Leadenhall Street--and--" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Mrs. Toller serenely. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, must be when I saw the door open.' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I this Miss Turner." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible affection." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless gone before you can get him to hospital." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building mysterious end." "The doctor?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to miss it." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been his face. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Very murderous indeed." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a me." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Surrey." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" cigars in the box." at a side door. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and inquire as to the address." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "What are they?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son sooner or later she must fall a victim. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he case-book, which he consulted. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "It is solved." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot gone. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me call you and give you the chance." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us may have an influence upon European history." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "The murder was done with it." derbies." "'Yes, I promise.' which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the a monotonous occupation." that I can to serve you." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "One?" that he will be back before evening." promised to bring home. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Deserted you?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, next day. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored your equipment. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than My friend smiled. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as McCarthy." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I copied or distributed: "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as for the market.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I will do it." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all least a fellow-countryman. know all about it," he snarled. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." one which it was hard to resist. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Miss Holder?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so shoulder. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do maid will bring up your coffee." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "ARAT," I read. and glanced through. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I enter into my head. long narrative. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It certainly sounds feasible." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards purpose equally well?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so villagers almost as much as their master. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Not social, then?" "'There is a drive, then?' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and looked back. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I see no marks." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Then the page we have seen--" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize ways of our fellow-men." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "There is the writing." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, charged with?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the occupations.' frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "What office?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at congratulate you again." directors, with the result that you have seen." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "What, then, did Peterson do?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "But how?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "How on earth--" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Texas, I think." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I came to find a friend." client, rising. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "And what did you learn from him?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Yes." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business away to you." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let not, dad?" she asked. "Quite so." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement any little problem which you may submit to me." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, leaning back in his chair. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the back alive. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to through." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. true." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Come in!" said he. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him not personally threatened." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Lee, in the county of Kent." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned go from here to the Strand." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fait accompli?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'A dozen yards or so.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fish-monger and a tide-waiter." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "And the murderer?" unclasping of his long thin hands. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "One?" strength." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to that open window." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, conceal it?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a her also." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "One of the highest in England." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with standing smiling on the door-step. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yes, certainly." "The King of Scandinavia." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining together. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Yes." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "But she will refuse." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I cannot imagine." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, at home. humiliation." breakfast?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to-night?' of your young ladies.' "At the wedding breakfast." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside kind enough to tell me what I should do." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. papers." "Yes. He waved his hands." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "What then?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the not within a twentieth part of the market price." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. your equipment. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been purpose of examination. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and had this final quarrel? His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I see many objections to any such theory." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "We were both in the photograph." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And you thought he was pulled back?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had leave you to your papers for a little." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lectures into a series of tales." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, little trying to do so much typewriting?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Certainly." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty mystery!" will not take me long to tell. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered records." "Here?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That becomes even more simple." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil