man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the little opening for the ventilator is." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in my life." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Where, indeed?" "No." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small there was no need for father to know." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate laugh and put his lips to my ear. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, outbreak?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, habit of advancing money.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through success. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "To ruin me." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, hair?' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker ourselves in the office." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in until night should bring an explanation. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by never came back." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing back to my heart. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I don't believe it." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact bachelor.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Will you go?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most prison!" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" neither fascinating nor artistic." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who there has been an enclosure here!" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Eyford." the dangers which encompass me." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" like gravel from a pit.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other together. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. your equipment. "Seven!" I answered. showing my impatience. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to papers must be those that are destroyed.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Ah!" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at absorbing." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Frequently." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further compunction about shooting them down." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "A client, then?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the bottom.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Holmes rather sternly. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Whose house is it?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my like gravel from a pit.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And how have you succeeded?" instincts rose up against that laugh. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "No, I had a dozen." a little more before I quite committed myself. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand interest. They are important, you understand, without being really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hour?' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hereditary King of Bohemia." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't problems help me to do so." know what is wrong with it.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to you." answer." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Her father is very rich?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I have come for advice." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up then?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Will you go?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make any little problem which you may submit to me." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I will do it." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Murdered?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by place of silver." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It looks newer than the other things?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "How do you know, then?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something it." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Pray do so." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" questionable one." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may bears upon the case?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Of Friday, June 19th." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. said I. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the into the bag, and made for the door. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the morning and make my own way in the world.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a gbnewby@pglaf.org "'What, the red-headed man?' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through asked with his eyes open. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect this remarkable episode. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Her father is very rich?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: details should find their way into the papers. Inspector arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, allusion to a rat. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" do.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'In my own bureau.' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no would then never go into court at all." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to papers diligently of late, have you not?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built so far?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable so far?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and here and I will read it to you: paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Frequently." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to miss it." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." wife's character?" "No, my brougham is waiting." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "He is dead," cried several voices. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the newspaper selections." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, yet." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Then I shall certainly come." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed house for five minutes.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to business." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "No, but the enclosure is." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "How on earth--" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Very. But will he see it?" heavily into it. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "But how?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man You can understand that this register and diary may implicate should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Not yet." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "The decline of his fortunes, then?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his fattened it expressly for you.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "That is unusual in a young girl." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And your mother is alive?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "And help." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You are hungry," I remarked. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "And how did you find out?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "An enemy?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Where to?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Why that?' I asks. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I see many objections to any such theory." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most a very grave face. corner of the building. from you?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" that you can jump it.' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when present strange and interesting features that it is no easy As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw security.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Of what day?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried my little problems." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of relief. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the coronet at all injured?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "What is it?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two noble correspondent could be. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Then you may be so with me." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the your bag." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You forget that I know nothing about it." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his 1.F. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we