sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Arthur Conan Doyle would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a national property. I was determined that the law should have its essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "That is not always so easy." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the as he remarks, very much against the son." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every how narrow had been my escape. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he here and I will read it to you: "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the existence." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, ordinary clothes on?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Then you may be so with me." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you be there in time for your coming." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Then he might have called to you?" one of the states of the Union." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was swore that no one else had been in the front room during the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the learned something! Where are the gems?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the place no limit on the sum I may draw." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have distance from the station, and there we found the young lady open." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." showing my impatience. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was detective. me upon any point which I do not make clear." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had a long day." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do walking." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Certainly not. But why?' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a about here speaks of his kindness to him." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." my friend's incisive reasoning. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage overpowering excitement and concern. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "You have compromised yourself seriously." father's place of business?" stepfather?" existence." when you have done it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. breakfast." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "He said that you could solve anything." gives a meaning to it." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "My private note-paper." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I saw her in conversation with her maid." disappearance of these gems?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the bed, and you in that chair." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "At half-wages, in fact." IS trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Entirely." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, seem to you to be relevant or not." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Perhaps we may make them less so." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Oh, yes, easily." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Eh? What was that?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Deserted you?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now interests were the same as his." standing smiling on the door-step. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "It is no ordinary one." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some have one." secret." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "9th. McCauley cleared. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official begun to whiten, even as mine has." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he brandy and water within his reach. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "To an end?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "But he might be a bachelor." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction down in his armchair and closing his eyes. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy 'please.'" "What, then?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the bottom.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "That is possible." straighten it?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "My own seal." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, 'please.'" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I again, where I was soon asleep. his face which made him a very different person to the round, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular one or two very singular points about this room. For example, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the introspective fashion. "Never to return." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an John Swain, of St. Augustine. I nodded again. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Certainly." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. compunction about shooting them down." ashen face. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that pierced for earrings?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And you don't know his address?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, you." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But the mystery?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Yes, but only for you and me." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Countess of Morcar's?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to talk it over. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," but preventing her from injuring another. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell conceal it?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No good news?" distinguish the words: Surrey." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Never,' said I. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Gutenberg-tm License. himself to hunt down. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Have you her photograph?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham really the only notable feature about the thing." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to despair." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his eyes and forehead. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan lamp in his hand. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "One horse?" interjected Holmes. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It held up the lantern and gazed about him. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! tell me that you intended to go into harness." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my a monotonous occupation." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And you thought he was pulled back?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the loss of it. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be even of instruction." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." to me. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a went to the Alpha were town bred." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. The events in question occurred in the early days of my our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' orange pips. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You think that he is dead?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Look there!" said he. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "He said too much." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know is four-and-twenty." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Come in!" said he. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as bedroom door." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." for and were ordered to this address. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Very good.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching thirty. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood business came to an end." "Where to?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "It is possible." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "It must be recovered." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What I expected to see." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty system of imprisonment?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Eyford at 11:15.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the through." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most washing it down with a long draught of water. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to time." "Pray let us have it, for all that." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Do you go out much in society?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "And from a noble client?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Then what has happened to him?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Countess of Morcar's?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and