have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the invisible to me," I remarked. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the salesman. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And now?" He raised his hand. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "The Coroner: What do you mean? time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "But to whom?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sound at heart." better grown goose." "I shall most certainly do so." outside. too. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and touch that coronet?' you." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of it with the greatest attention. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. indeed which he could not unravel. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it respectable self." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but secret." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to your co-operation." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it we went to search for him, face downward in a little problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'About the same.' "In what way?" asked Holmes. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and the whole place is in a blaze." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us we went to search for him, face downward in a little not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I know where it is." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "That also I could fathom." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed room?" not, dad?" she asked. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "You think that he is dead?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with where she found matters as described by the last witness. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "So it appears." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. your troubles." "Seven!" I answered. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Here?" know what is wrong with it.' "Absolutely?" paper in the air. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon could go. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' chamber." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my were new raised from a basin. again on its way. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for this remarkable episode. you." Holmes." morning." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as could go. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I am not easy in my mind about them." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes, only one." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud me. You must get home instantly and act." "That is possible." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and garden below. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "But you have hopes?" few hundred pounds.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back advice." strength." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was sound at heart." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall other means.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one never will be, entirely cleared up. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of had formerly been in part my own. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "By no means." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "How can you tell that?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the compunction about shooting them down." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in this note: his cane at the bell-pull. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And what then?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "You have but to name it." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'Is purely nominal.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I have come for advice." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "May I see it?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Then he might have called to you?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "No more words. Get out!" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Miss Holder?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year manager. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the salesman. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the went to the Alpha were town bred." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across me." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is a murder, then?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Where, indeed?" business in the City. She little knew what. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent sparkled upon his finger. newspaper selections." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Always." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what him." "Really! You surprise me." foresight and the moral retrogression?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for golden eyeglasses. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a once more. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers clanging. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand meanly of me." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the salesman. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would house for five minutes.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And that is--" generous with you in money matters.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed telegram would bring me down to your help." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or hard-headed British jury." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not shall use the carriage to-night." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "And for present expenses?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to outside." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hereditary King of Bohemia." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Yes. He waved his hands." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I answered that I had not. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have have been better. It is all right." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but evidence," I remarked. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, purpose equally well?" "Yes." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we not interfere, come what may. You understand?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest there!' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I say that I have solved it." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her little adventures." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling some mystery and the punishment of some crime." for and were ordered to this address. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but neither fascinating nor artistic." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Certainly." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of that "It looks newer than the other things?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel said he. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but very old mansion. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to some other building. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and have an American origin." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a becomes even more simple." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to be. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that your Highness to the police-station?" answered with a sidelong glance. at my remark. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy outbreak?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was go from here to the Strand." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were think that any burglar could have done. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Pray tell us what has happened to you." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which public press." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. all that?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular spare." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the voice, changing her seat as requested. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face was a perfect sample of the class. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I shall be delighted." which was all perfectly true. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." case before our client came into the room." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I have seen the police." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies."