"I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little as the one I chose?' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At key of the affair now." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "He is still with you, I presume?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. speckled band?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man conclusions. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "At the wedding breakfast." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my retorted upon me, and I on you." "Entirely." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had what these perils are?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the heavily into it. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique clang of the bell. crackling voice. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "That is possible." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his wife has ceased to love him." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I am about to be married." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "The gentleman I describe." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go question," said Holmes, smiling. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Quite so. She has her freedom." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "It looks newer than the other things?" mystery!" could not have written that. It is the German who is so That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, call you and give you the chance." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Where, indeed?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. late!' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "My dear Holmes!" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, fresh and glossy." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been him, that man would not have given me such complete information I shall communicate with you." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a done what I asked you, Jones?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You horrify me!" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local during that time.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was used.' prisoner's face. "He slept on the premises." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "He slept on the premises." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have habit of advancing money.' Munro.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Certainly,' I answered. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that you saw all that I did." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, speckled band?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, must compliment you." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the had formerly been in part my own. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I confronted him. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without hour." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and do you make of it all?" "My dear Holmes!" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and a shock of very red hair. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "A call for help, you thought?" vault. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "One of his hands." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "You did not overhear what they said?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. strength in the others." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "There is the writing." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, nothing of it?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No. What a strange idea!" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may had this final quarrel? already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And why?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of held up the lantern and gazed about him. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I shall be delighted." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "By no means." is," said he presently: increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was think you a quite exceptional woman." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, client, rising. matter." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "By no means." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the King without delay." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made promised to bring home. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Pray tell us what has happened to you." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "May I see it?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Clair, of Lee." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Not yet." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "To ruin me." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' waste of energy." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution is so. I know all about McCarthy." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and glanced through. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Nothing." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "My dear Holmes!" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first ways of our fellow-men." get her out of the way." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing breakfast?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It is no ordinary one." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Whose house is it?" was it brought him the coronet? the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take village inn over there?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Did you observe the colour?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Entirely." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had presume?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the tension within him. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be foot. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in his power. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Then I do not see the point." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon nonsense.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Holmes." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, upon the white wrist. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" enough to aid us in our search." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "That's no good." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Witness: It was. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. here and I will read it to you: "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "That is easily got." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us definite end. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "And I." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' prison!" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "By train from Waterloo." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if absolutely follow my advice in every respect." your own bird, so if you wish--" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "No sign of it?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Yes." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Ten will be early enough." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Thank you. Pray proceed." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There which I could not give. He asked for Alice. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Not I." definite end. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Certainly." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, there when the Rucastles went away." "Witness: I must still refuse. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the putting in the horse. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Very truly yours, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "There is the writing." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Why? What do you mean?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "In the cells." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'In my own bureau.' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If have not had my rubber." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can guilty parties." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the if I call to-morrow?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You have a clue?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You think so, too?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with your only hope of safety." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'And what salary do you ask?' jewels which you have stolen?' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming clang of the bell. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You did not overhear what they said?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the even of instruction." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest