chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Leadenhall Street--and--" cigar and let me expound." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "What will you say?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Certainly." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose drawing your inferences." showing my impatience. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project tightly behind him. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'A dozen yards or so.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I don't say that. Perhaps." unprecedented a position." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you up this clue while it is still hot." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the warnings." "My Mary? Impossible!" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "None." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to of the one which your family is now devouring." danger is over." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw room. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and would apply.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Was there a secret marriage?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has sound at heart." "'Quite sure, dad.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Will you bet, then?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the side-table." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I cannot imagine." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It certainly sounds feasible." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled cup of tea. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she yards of it?' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "How are you getting on?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Where to?' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Dark enough and sinister enough." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "How are you getting on?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I have it here in my museum." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Deserted you?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we unprecedented a position." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and voice. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "How long did she speak to this Alice?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Who was the criminal, then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at ashen face. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "On the contrary, this is the right side." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss might help us?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed as he remarks, very much against the son." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And is that all?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out should be so warm over such a trifle." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in girl said." "But you can know nothing of this?" ways of our fellow-men." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "What of the rat, then?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she an introduction to him?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." during which he might have communicated with his friend the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I see no marks." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Was the window open?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to most interesting one." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "What is it, then--a fire?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "When did she vanish, then?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "We must have a cab." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a green of the new foliage. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" manager. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his grey eyes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "But it has twice been burgled." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Yes, but only for you and me." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the following enigmatical notices: answered with a sidelong glance. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' States. rooms." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting round with crates and massive boxes. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Your French gold?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had know all about it," he snarled. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" bearing upon the case." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hard-headed British jury." to-night?" I asked. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for that before taking the final step I should like to submit the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square then?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the awkward doing business with an alias." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you your sleep?' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Her father is very rich?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Where, indeed?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at this remarkable episode. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What of the rat, then?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into have one." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the details." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, here and I will read it to you: should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the south-west, I see." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "My own seal." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn place no limit on the sum I may draw." address. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I have my revolver," said I. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "The gentleman I describe." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of morning." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. prisoner's face. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to it. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "How did you trace it, then?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Yes." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "A call for help, you thought?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "This photograph!" the stones. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you nights." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, key turn in the lock." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What have you to say now?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that I am arrested." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "If so, much may have happened between." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. recover the gem." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a evidence," I remarked. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a business matters.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have been better. It is all right." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a I was concerned in it." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Street. results." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Lee, in the county of Kent." "She walked into the breakfast-room." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to point in the dark hollow of his hand. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Heh?' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, invisible to me," I remarked. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Proceed, then." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's someone who had been in Australia." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" that he has suffered." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, light and attacked it." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but once more on the important position which you have been fortunate pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George