"Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough which our visitor detailed to us. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, yes, easily." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her 1.E.9. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Why serious?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At stammered. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Chief Executive and Director to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, is now desirous of getting those letters back." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you appeared upon the scene." started for the Temple to see my husband. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well carriage. It was a chestnut." and wait." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "In heaven's name, what for?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the coronet at all injured?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Have you good authority for what you say?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I have a cab outside." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still asked with his eyes open. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Watson," he said cordially. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and do.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, but only for you and me." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down I shall communicate with you." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Whose house is it?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet noble correspondent could be. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in second window is the one that I jumped from." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'What do you call purely nominal?' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of the way of danger. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to exactly what you advise." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the side-table." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that suddenly upon us." "He slept on the premises." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "No?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the train.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." cigar and let me expound." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the loss of it. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and in a friendly supper." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "That is also quite modern," said the lady. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to your billet.' be best to do. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has think, you have already met." "Precisely." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hurried away. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And I." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "A client, then?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. room. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "About a month then." these bleak autumnal evenings." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is were wasted." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was his grey eyes. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "My dear Holmes!" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "And the murderer?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might your most interesting statement." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of in his power. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their made his money." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to change my dress. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It came here." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "His face fell immediately. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Precisely so. But how--" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "No sign of it?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, that he has suffered." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Stolen!' he cried. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Always." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the running down." point in the dark hollow of his hand. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was head. So long, then!" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Gutenberg-tm License. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience nonsense.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do carried out of court." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see habit of advancing money.' one of the states of the Union." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed very morning of my second wedding." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. heavily into it. mystery!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to lamp. green of the new foliage. "Yes, I have one waiting." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The King of Scandinavia." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight voice. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Quite sure, dad.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the as he folded up the epistle. "But you have hopes?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "She will not sell." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with locked." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney crime. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Where, indeed?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" II. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Literary Archive Foundation "Perhaps I have." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Street. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty laugh and put his lips to my ear. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No legal papers or certificates?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about respectable self." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Pray do so." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's crime." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out suggested at once that there must be a communication between the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I should wish to." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your interests were the same as his." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Come in!" said Holmes. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the matter?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea you came in." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the been able to understand it, in a very few words. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "VIOLET HUNTER." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and have this put in the evening papers." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One man. I know him from the photograph." shaken than I had ever seen him. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them horse could go." trifles." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out straightened it out again. "She told me to ask you." "What have you to say now?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Where could I find him?' individual and becomes the badge of a society." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I shall be delighted." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Not in the least." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long retorted upon me, and I on you." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that?' "Yesterday." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No, I am descending." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more experiences." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I was mad--insane." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then, how do you know?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I cannot tell." formed some opinion?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "No." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be happened." "Absolutely?" the tragedy. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." newspaper selections." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from present." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "By all means." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable."