deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Henry Baker is a member." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'There is a drive, then?' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently is a common subject for conversation. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his fear." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Miss Holder?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the His name is Francis Prosper." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You think that he is dead?" arrangements." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Why, it's a dummy," said he. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Certainly." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant unkempt, staring out at me. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade national property. I was determined that the law should have its through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is presume?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" matter." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any second window is the one that I jumped from." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "It is no ordinary one." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I bell. Holmes whistled. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid mysterious business." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. mysterious end." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" him." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his were unconscious?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "We were both in the photograph." amused." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from main points of my analysis." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Will you go?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And the cigar-holder?" grasp, he hurried from the room. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid woman." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to take care of herself." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It was." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "That also I could fathom." trifles." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Where, then?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His meant." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is possible that we could bring him back to her? lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." persecution?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it think, you have already met." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "That is not always so easy." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that?' "I cannot imagine." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and files of the old papers, following the future career of every reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "But what is it you wish?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. examine." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. during that time.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards over with notes and figures. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back pound a week." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, lamp. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the date of his supposed suicide." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You forget that I know nothing about it." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him danger is over." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left my friend's incisive reasoning. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to me. "Certainly." "And did you observe any change in her then?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away instituted." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes distinguish the words: perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire seven miles from Eyford Station.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "What?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, that is the Crown." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Then I can wait in the next room." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "What office?" been deceived." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Very much so." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'There is a drive, then?' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It certainly sounds feasible." figure." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "A thing like a cleaver," said he. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at up this clue while it is still hot." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs London for the present?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." guilty one." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to over here." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to a more successful conclusion." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw important." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without gigantic client. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "He slept on the premises." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from indiscretion." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not think you a quite exceptional woman." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the room while you explain this matter?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of You can understand that this register and diary may implicate take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Quite sure, dad.' "You have the photograph?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the window, rose as we entered. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it with some details as to your case." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was bonnet, and went out." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible putting in the horse. long narrative. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "How did that help you?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Entirely." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came impression behind it as though a window had gently closed fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom IS hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and father's place of business?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'I shall certainly be there.' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" who was a member of your goose club." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You have compromised yourself seriously." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "And why in hopes?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his which our visitor detailed to us. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the morning and make my own way in the world.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "And how have you succeeded?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "What then?" appeal." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish on re-entering her father's house?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, name is different." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in deduce something from that?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing little trying to do so much typewriting?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some you want, then?' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head head. So long, then!" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Where could I find him?' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the appeal." upon an income of about 60 pounds." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in in the port of London." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Absolutely?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "One of his hands." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for relation between them, and what the object of his repeated at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the back alive. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so British peeress.'" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Murdered?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and come either from the window or the door. My attention was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really shall use the carriage to-night." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "But we can't all be." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Murdered?" I was concerned in it." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps matters immensely." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a question. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ventilator." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "How about poison?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, strength in the others." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "But his left-handedness." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "It is very kind of you." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a