and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, that, and I came down." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an is now desirous of getting those letters back." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I don't believe it." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an suddenly upon us." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your tassel actually lying upon the pillow. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Thank you. And your address?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of them has the shutters up.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, appeared upon the scene." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and the church but not where the lady lived." confronted him. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Surrey." and looked back. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains pound a week." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the driver. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler quite distinctive." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." hereditary King of Bohemia." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are call it cruel." "But your client--" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very to-morrow." "Yes. He waved his hands." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough several quiet little villages up there." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. companion quietly. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Sholtos." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. DAMAGE. second window is the one that I jumped from." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' round and wave him away like that.' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Why did you beat the pavement?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody papers diligently of late, have you not?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further into her hand at the door and which lured her within their have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. back to my heart. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who colour had been driven from his face. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Street. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Certainly not. But why?' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Do you go out much in society?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room particular state visit http://pglaf.org and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "And Miss Sutherland?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, go from here to the Strand." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the helping a boy to put up the shutters. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better annoyance, but no jest. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the in my life." and I shall be with you presently." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Yes." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the night.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. never will be, entirely cleared up. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate clang of the bell. the so-precious time, but come!' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been legal crime." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw arrangements." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "And from a noble client?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call there." forecastle of an emigrant ship. our word." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." carried out of court." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which I held the little printed slip to the light. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. walking." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Sutherland?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Watson," he said cordially. leave you to your papers for a little." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the driver. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Really! You surprise me." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Certainly, madam." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him ordinary clothes on?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Ample." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet mystery." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put examine." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading colonel looking down at me. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came quick march!" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Then he might have called to you?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "No." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, strong reason behind." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove call it cruel." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Well?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been in one or two places in England?' "And how have you succeeded?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really bell. Holmes whistled. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home once more to my work. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for joking. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies not fit the lock." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, with the outside air!" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Upon what point?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now memory. if I call to-morrow?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. locked." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and I shall be with you presently." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my following enigmatical notices: arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the enter into my head. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water away to you." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his letters?" at home. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. but preventing her from injuring another. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Never." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Mrs. Toller serenely. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "What I expected to see." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran villagers almost as much as their master. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came had a long day." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said best detective that ever lived. ready to-morrow?' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Very much so." flock.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there had formerly been in part my own. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Murdered?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Quite sure, dad.' sufficient punishment." this poor creature." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a touch that coronet?' Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and that he would see to anything that turned up. jewels which you have stolen?' a suggestive one." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. villagers almost as much as their master. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are