gentleman's clothes. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Yes, I have one waiting." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "The vanishing of the lady." a good hundred miles off by now." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but papers." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "It is very clear." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a you give your casting vote to?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his becomes even more simple." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the rooms." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'And what salary do you ask?' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as he folded up the epistle. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sneer upon his pale face. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making into her hand at the door and which lured her within their stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Mrs. Toller serenely. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a all-comprehensive glances. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Ample." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. photograph a cabinet?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I don't say that. Perhaps." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "None. Neville wrote those words." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. signal between you and your father? bore every mark of being an average commonplace British delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "That also I could fathom." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Entirely.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be or in danger--" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day telegram would bring me down to your help." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a it. depend upon my doing so.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, girl said." with the outside air!" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the these bleak autumnal evenings." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards his cane at the bell-pull. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more it." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? infinite languor in his face. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. look upon these things in a different way." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "And is that all?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a woven round him. sake, don't!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Just look it up, then." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the one else, I think." Literary Archive Foundation the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Certainly." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round excitement. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "At half-wages, in fact." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a IS considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Do you receive much company?" he asked. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth strength." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them ventilator." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his about. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' his face. without a word or a look. depend upon your compliance." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm young Openshaw's." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "An accident, I presume?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said asked. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons was not a bird to be seen there. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'I have heard so.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I ready to-morrow?' dear old homesteads?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her have I gained?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even directly by questioning you." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You confronted him. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, shall not find me ungrateful." had died away into the silence from which it rose. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was rose-bushes. "And Miss Sutherland?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, gone before you can get him to hospital." emerged. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I should like to see him very much." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I am still in the dark." Pool. upon the white wrist. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Lee, in the county of Kent." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He notes," he said. "I will not look." yourselves in at night?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I have seen the police." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the matter." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. delighted to hear it," he said. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, appointment with me for six o'clock?" Holmes' room. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "The murder was done with it." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I am following you closely," I answered. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to daring than any effort of the imagination." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end these bleak autumnal evenings." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped with you?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, waste of energy." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "So I heard. You have him here?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their might have a private word with us. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "A call for help, you thought?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and mystery." wall." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in despair." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'How far from the body?' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "But we can't all be." with the outside air!" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a it with his own hands." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a go from here to the Strand." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." he died? filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, case before our client came into the room." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway bare slabs of marble. brain must have something in it." then?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in direction." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "That's no good." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital bird of prey. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly room?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Where, indeed?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his fortune, and I went back to pa. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to you." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'Yes, it was gone.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Married! When?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I see no marks." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "The knees of his trousers." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of it with the greatest attention. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If for the market.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "But not more so than I to find you." I nodded to show that I had heard. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I say it is." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'As governess?' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. paper in the air. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever standing smiling on the door-step. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "And the murderer?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "To ruin me." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his business." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'About the same.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the were wasted." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and never will be, entirely cleared up. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at rooms." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. events than those which have happened in my own family." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "And your mother is alive?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that upon the sideboard." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss confronted him. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into next day. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "One of his hands." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the fire. You quite follow me?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the to talk it over. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I late." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before stood on the top of it. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the