"Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" had picked up in the wood. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with made him keep the appointment." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Where does the thing come from?' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Not particularly." "Why did you beat the pavement?" Mary, has deserted me." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. nothing of it?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able unclasping of his long thin hands. "No good news?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Leave Paddington by the 11:15." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Very good.' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked place no limit on the sum I may draw." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "That's no good." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned extraordinary contortions. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised but preventing her from injuring another. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is it right.' set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the so-precious time, but come!' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I cannot think." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I bill, which interests me deeply." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was peculiar to him. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have second." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to a light-house. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Foundation "That sounds a little paradoxical." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "A call for help, you thought?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but green of the new foliage. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! advice." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, other means.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your giving me time to thank him. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and from you?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Can I be of assistance?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the very morning of the wedding." himself. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I see no marks." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen tied." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered newspaper selections." "The gentleman I describe." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty this man was intellectual?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "But what will you do?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But his left-handedness." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "No." "At what time?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Serpentine Avenue. it. up this clue while it is still hot." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "What?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "No, distinctly professional." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the Assizes." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Come in!" said he. nothing of it?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, dramatic, in fact." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell business." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it good-night and bustled off upon her way. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I am to be neutral?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Certainly." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it events than those which have happened in my own family." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, evidence," I remarked. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yesterday." introspective fashion. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was you." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Tired-looking or fresh?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "We were both in the photograph." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it any." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed some water from a caraffe. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then I am your man." asked. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Sutherland?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Then what has happened to him?" "No more words. Get out!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Breckinridge is his name." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the of it with the greatest attention. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the deduce something from that?" Holmes' room. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It certainly sounds feasible." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Edgeware Road. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Yes, certainly." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "No, I had a dozen." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "One of his hands." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" past. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the so-precious time, but come!' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I have solved it." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gone. the coronet in his hands?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' were new raised from a basin. "I am all attention, madam." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten bore every mark of being an average commonplace British quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland golden eyeglasses. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of present." "'Yes, sir.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "VIOLET HUNTER." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "What will you say?" a very grave face. made him keep the appointment." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I guessed as much." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Yes, only one." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "And it is--" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, overpowering excitement and concern. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Yes, sir." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "In the cells." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "And you don't know his address?" and wait." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' records." putting in the horse. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Has he come with you to-night?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my she has been waylaid. There has been no result." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Her father is very rich?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical sake, don't!" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a all?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just fasten all the windows?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the disappearance of these gems?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in never will be, entirely cleared up. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the very morning of the wedding." back into the street. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that business at Coburg Square is serious." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and about. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and row." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. south, for the country is more deserted there." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "He disappeared so suddenly." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Again Holmes raved in the air. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Yes. He waved his hands." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as with you alone." me have 200 pounds?' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a at my remark. little adventures." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "It's nothing of the kind." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water later, upon the night of May 2nd." flock.' "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he room?" whatever might befall. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a spare." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If along the entire front of the house, with three long windows heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the bed, and you in that chair." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the was already answered. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of compunction about shooting them down." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see