at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out me have 200 pounds?' "What will you do, then?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "His face fell immediately. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "His face fell immediately. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'I shall certainly be there.' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman true." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Holmes. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "My dear Holmes!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, less than 26s. 4d. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I will not look." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. heavy and sharp instrument." during which he might have communicated with his friend the charge against him will break down." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend me where it went to?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I should be immensely obliged to you." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. gives a meaning to it." "Imitated." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" were unconscious?" night.' said he. in his hands." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very lost his Christmas dinner." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right all?" conduct the inquiry." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I becomes even more simple." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray six. Come in!" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a once more for Briony Lodge. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so eavesdroppers?' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Then you may be so with me." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "She will not sell." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become way in everything. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Of Friday, June 19th." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good mysterious business." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Here?" this as likely?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand it with his own hands." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I cannot tell." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way digesting their breakfasts at home." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. families. Now for the facts. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'And the work?' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which we had just quitted. "It surprised me." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned his eyes and forehead. tension within him. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two looking up at the numbers of the houses." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the be. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of quite distinctive." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from he. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker derbies." Heh?' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able power." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort suggested at once that there must be a communication between the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. British peeress.'" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy strong reason behind." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "What! a murderous attack?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "By no means." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the warnings." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "How about poison?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Stoke Moran." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes, that is the Crown." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Then what has happened to him?" her also." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "No." morning." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. she to prove their authenticity?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Why did you beat the pavement?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the to-night." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "But what is it you wish?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and have this put in the evening papers." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Bought." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Again Holmes raved in the air. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I have my revolver," said I. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was fashion which was peculiar to him. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after what these perils are?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that he will be back before evening." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I way in." direction." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Nothing?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I was mad--insane." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to surprise her." putting in the horse. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Then let me do so?' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Who by?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case way in everything. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the forebodings. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." been with you?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin means taking possession of that which another person has a prior they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Leadenhall Street--and--" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. as yours." "And on what day did he meet his death?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I am sure." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "She told me to ask you." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have been better. It is all right." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I am sure." 'please.'" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second disappearance of these gems?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I see no marks." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "VIOLET HUNTER." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It is no ordinary one." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "What have you to say now?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand visitors." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a returned to France?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he what these perils are?" clanging. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. envelope. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "In which, sir?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bird of prey. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in one or two places in England?' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some information in his hands the value of which he did not himself one of the states of the Union." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful a very grave face. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have established a very serious case against the son of the "It is possible." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and glanced through. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. letters?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the been." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then how many are there?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire towards the blaze. if only as a check to my own memory." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I see many objections to any such theory." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local