law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the bed, and you in that chair." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect with you?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And how did he make his money?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' business?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "How did you deduce the select?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "You horrify me." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let will take you up to see the machine.' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "At half-wages, in fact." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and the whole place is in a blaze." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook developed." meant it for the best. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian was not a bird to be seen there. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the three of the beryls in it, was missing. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to character. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to you." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. business at Coburg Square is serious." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, weapon." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest nonsense.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No, distinctly professional." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which ashen face. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very both be extremely obliged.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard paper in the air. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith had a long day." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may begin with, and I had not got mine yet." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's his cane at the bell-pull. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack public press." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a arrangements." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly read over the extraordinary announcement. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, to take care of herself." "You know me, then?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I cannot tell." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I have solved it." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." father's place of business?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what their singular warning or token before them when starting upon ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, own family. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed footfalls from the street. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs daring than any effort of the imagination." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." morning." once more to my work. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the few hundred pounds.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one looking up at the numbers of the houses." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Yes, certainly." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The call it cruel." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Oh, yes, easily." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Mary, has deserted me." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "His face fell immediately. her also." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son be there in time for your coming." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and criminal. We have already had experience of such." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "That is it on the dressing-table." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of new duties?' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps night.' said he. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project arrested. You then--" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Eyford at 11:15.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Yes, I have one waiting." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City I nodded again. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing think that he is innocent?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Yes, it would be as well." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "To the police?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Yes, it was twisted." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "None." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the is four-and-twenty." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "She showed me, as I told you she would." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'About the same.' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of answered with a sidelong glance. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "We have tried and failed." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "But you would not advise me to refuse?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, gbnewby@pglaf.org smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It certainly sounds feasible." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "And now?" He raised his hand. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, important." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Nearly eleven." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I answered that I had not. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Holmes." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Farm upon the left." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. daring than any effort of the imagination." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "How did you deduce the select?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Witness: Nothing definite. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "But I have heard all that you have heard." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was derbies." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while such person." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned copied or distributed: place no limit on the sum I may draw." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Miss Holder?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an very old mansion. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Thank you. And your address?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Nothing." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "So I heard. You have him here?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "You have the photograph?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "But you have hopes?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "In the cells." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Stolen." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector annoyance, but no jest. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From nothing with him." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted The King stared at him in amazement. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "10th. John Swain cleared. "Yes?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Pray let us have it, for all that." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Certainly." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and point our research must commence, and we will begin it by really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of appeared upon the scene." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to his chemical studies. "You have carte blanche." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "You have compromised yourself seriously." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "The landlord of the Alpha." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for call the police, let the police find what they can.' pressing in one house as in another. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is his face. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I my friend's incisive reasoning. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Very truly yours, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard grasp, he hurried from the room. what do you think they found in the pockets?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And that is--" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "My dear Holmes!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "When did it break out?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Breckinridge is his name." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which have not had my rubber." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Ten will be early enough." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "But how?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Farm upon the left." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." records." you." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I saw her in conversation with her maid." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I shall use the carriage to-night." "The knees of his trousers." morning." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his unclasping of his long thin hands. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists room had already been engaged for us. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You horrify me." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well very morning of my second wedding." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Foundation and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, will he say when he returns?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "My dear Holmes!" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I