train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an possible that we could bring him back to her? upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "None. Neville wrote those words." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "By all means." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face as yours." chance." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his is a common subject for conversation. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It learned something! Where are the gems?" the matter." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at arrangements." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? public press." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause coroner's jury." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "No." do." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of public press." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice derbies." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey passage and a tap at the door. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "But what will you do?" "You think that he is dead?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Yes, I promise.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord photograph a cabinet?" "I cannot think." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to a light-house. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very I have it here in my museum." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Project Gutenberg-tm works. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be British peeress.'" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two advice." and the church but not where the lady lived." "One?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the south-west, I see." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A stood on the top of it. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I cause to be." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "He said that you could solve anything." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Always." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from never came back." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off McCarthy's innocence. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper It may be so in this case, also." "What will you say?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I shall most certainly do so." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of new acquaintance to Baker Street. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'What would be the hours?' I asked. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel done what I asked you, Jones?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'How far from the body?' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of was keenly on my guard against him. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "My photograph." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "If I can be of use." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at go--none." handed it to him. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that careless servant girl?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this But Holmes shook his head gravely. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in paper in the air. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the see me here to avoid scandal." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Yes, the wine-cellar." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society I have it here in my museum." "Certainly." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our mystery!" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being all-comprehensive glances. "No sign of it?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows photograph a cabinet?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Henry Baker is a member." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very of Mr. Rucastle's." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and or other trace. But how on earth--" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded London for the present?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You have it, sir, just as it happened." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "How do you know, then?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and been with you?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick passage and a tap at the door. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it I held the little printed slip to the light. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Precisely so. But how--" "Not in a good cause." already been minutely examined." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest prepare for the new role I have to play." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in a friendly supper." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unprecedented a position." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the conclusions. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus very old mansion. head. So long, then!" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of I held the little printed slip to the light. "None." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." with her." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and no precautions can guard against." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "The doctor?" this man was intellectual?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." before the coroner and the police-court." "In the cells." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Doctor, of the paper and the date." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of the vacancies.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey emerged. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "That is unusual in a young girl." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "But his left-handedness." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still villagers almost as much as their master. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this bled considerably." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the formed some opinion?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from but preventing her from injuring another. "Perfectly so." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "My dear Holmes!" stood on the top of it. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in opened the door, and slipped through. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but thirty. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "How on earth--" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And what did you see?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those present." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Your presence might be invaluable." "No, I am descending." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing a few minutes he said that it would be all right. with some details as to your case." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is bonnet, and went out." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of present." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." crime." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." carriage. It was a chestnut." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You forget that I know nothing about it." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Does that suggest anything?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Absolutely?" obstinate." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Literary Archive Foundation apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these electronic works when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were dead, shall be safe with us." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be lumber-room." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe this remarkable episode. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of there has been an enclosure here!" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even night.' said he. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "At the wedding breakfast." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Street. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Sutherland. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which tail." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in the dead of the night?' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, despaired of." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Yes." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of some terrible trap for her." "I cannot tell." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I am sure." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. sufficient punishment." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Dark enough and sinister enough." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about my friend's incisive reasoning. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for