beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her that you wished to speak to me?' thin legs towards the fire. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down power." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its vague figure huddled up in the darkness. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I have a cab outside." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master that he has suffered." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that it." nice household for a young lady." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight bird I ate is country bred." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "If I can be of use." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles lost nothing by them." forebodings. "'Entirely.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce photograph a cabinet?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been able to understand it, in a very few words. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "On Monday." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as possible that we could bring him back to her? "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken what is your own theory as to what took place?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Where could I find him?' "You horrify me!" nights." that I am arrested." back to my heart. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the devil!" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has other means.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" has little to do with my story." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Gutenberg-tm License. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from window when the police appeared." "The doctor?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had shoulder; "he's all right." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Clair, of Lee." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which in a very precise fashion." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Then what has happened to him?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was discontent upon his features. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the window, rose as we entered. present." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "What then?" round and wave him away like that.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the iron safe, which he closed upon it. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the closing the door. power." papers on the sundial.'" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to take care of herself." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant impression behind it as though a window had gently closed which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "What I expected to see." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." attention." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I am not easy in my mind about them." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a hand, madam?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Then how many are there?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." for and were ordered to this address. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in instincts rose up against that laugh. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "VIOLET HUNTER." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "But she could not love him." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between door?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied had this final quarrel? much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "The rest you will leave in our hands." door?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the My friend smiled. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "But how?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was standing smiling on the door-step. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Yes, certainly." "'Very good.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the whole matter to your consideration." fact, we may call it conclusive." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny once more for Briony Lodge. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, fashion which was peculiar to him. within hail.' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one behind me. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly one of the states of the Union." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter stepfather?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "And why?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Never." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Then how many are there?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Not I." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other because she had spent so short a time in this country that she may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding recover the gem." again on its way. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her too. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "That was it, sir." that there was nothing in it, after all." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Sholtos." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew salesman. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a vault. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Very much so." "'In my own bureau.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, eavesdroppers?' asked. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some it. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, on re-entering her father's house?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "In San Francisco, a year ago." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his companion imperturbably. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." promised to bring home. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is me. You must get home instantly and act." "Certainly, madam." "Pray let us have it, for all that." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love very morning of my second wedding." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I came to find a friend." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All little adventures." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the night.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. forbidden door. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography questioning and rather startled gaze. room?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! speckled band?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing tell them apart.' Pool. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a advice." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has national property. I was determined that the law should have its education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and think, you have already met." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." constraint." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "What do you make of that, Watson?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to may have an influence upon European history." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves fatally injured? photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Street. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less absolutely follow my advice in every respect." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I cannot think." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my writers could invent nothing more crude." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the side. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his eyes and forehead. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase should be so warm over such a trifle." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" arrested. You then--" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would I have it here in my museum." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which drove away. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right father's place of business?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan everything which you would wish to know." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Holmes, the busybody!" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" himself. persecution?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But how could you guess what the motive was?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that the gas is not laid on in his house?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would forecastle of an emigrant ship. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his of campaign. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I never have." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained not use it unless it is absolutely needed." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Why that?' I asks. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. kind enough to tell me what I should do." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt undoubtedly my uncle's." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "But who is he?" "No. What a strange idea!" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the devil!" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind observed. "Breckinridge is his name." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I shall continue with my miserable story. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the coronet in his hands?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its congenial hunt. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. heavy and sharp instrument." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you were wasted." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the towards the blaze. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." electronic works of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this returning from some small jollification and was making his way of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes definite end. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath.