which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. The King stared at him in amazement. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I cannot as yet see any connection." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Come in!" said he. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was my room." Sutherland?" "That is possible." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What asked with his eyes open. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "My photograph." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking words came to my lips. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Entirely." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had locked. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I was afraid that you were engaged." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the station." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, but China?" "And now?" He raised his hand. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Foundation himself to tell his story. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Clair, of Lee." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I say that I have solved it." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater future lives." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the 'please.'" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "But who is he?" detective. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "It must be recovered." purpose of examination. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," I nodded again. go back?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come have established a very serious case against the son of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Did your wife hear all this?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "But how?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather said he. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe tightly behind him. "You have the photograph?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' careless servant girl?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that?' "I cannot tell." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'And what are they worth?' I asked. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I thirty. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" whatever might befall. entirely lost his self-respect." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the best detective that ever lived. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where without a word or a look. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a way in everything. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "An accident, I presume?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You have the photograph?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it voice. "Here?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or developed." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I. very morning of my second wedding." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." it." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great derbies." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Can I be of assistance?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If formed some opinion?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage upon the white wrist. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Stolen, then." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate coroner's jury." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in a friendly supper." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with absorbing." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every ran thus: gentleman's clothes. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Most admirably.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all outsides of the windows. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas awkward doing business with an alias." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular him." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sake, don't!" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out quite distinctive." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Which dealer's?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this side. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "She walked into the breakfast-room." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged it means?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness ready to-morrow?' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips wedding?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story you." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have galvanised. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no figure." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. business came to an end." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the works. See paragraph 1.E below. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of tightly behind him. enter into my head. several quiet little villages up there." "Yes." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single all?" problems help me to do so." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Again Holmes raved in the air. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I am all attention, madam." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the business in the City. She little knew what. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." dates and names. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hour." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Street. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It looks newer than the other things?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "What do you make of that, Watson?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to that open window." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang go back?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "And the cigar-holder?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And did you observe any change in her then?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Not particularly." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "One of the highest in England." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "A confidential servant?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor narrative." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken their singular warning or token before them when starting upon all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something kind enough to tell me what I should do." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the side. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 'please.'" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. his eyes and forehead. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I cannot imagine." "What, then, did Peterson do?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." McCarthy's innocence. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen points to suicide?" round and wave him away like that.' "Bought." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was second." "It is half-past ten now." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he drove away. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "How are you getting on?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' them?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would be there in time for your coming." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Holmes. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by tension within him. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is obstinate." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven be best to do. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any details." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the morning and make my own way in the world.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You think so, too?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the something of him before." clanging. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the not as remarkable as your advertisement." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "And why in hopes?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has astonishment. awkward doing business with an alias." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence congenial hunt. that, and I came down." "We have tried and failed." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased present strange and interesting features that it is no easy come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is American. Then who could this American be, and why should he