above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and put his glass in his pocket. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." into the bag, and made for the door. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see mystery." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hopeless attempt at recovering them." hard-headed British jury." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What are they?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "That sounds a little paradoxical." flock.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Thank you. And your address?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in of a light. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "No, finished." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her never will be, entirely cleared up. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Lestrade of Scotland Yard." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the date of his supposed suicide." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I think it very unlikely." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It must be when I saw the door open.' you." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the colonel looking down at me. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and have this put in the evening papers." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always against a man in the prime of life?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue during that time.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, national property. I was determined that the law should have its play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I don't believe it." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent delirious. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "So I have heard." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And how in the world did you find them?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary maiden herself was most instructive." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I guessed as much." gives a meaning to it." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Count Von Kramm." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I shall communicate with you." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Whose house is it?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "What! a murderous attack?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and all of them with the keenest interest. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Not yet." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, already referred to. look upon these things in a different way." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" at home. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Stolen!' he cried. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will derbies." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. success. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be know that the truth is known." "Then he might have called to you?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, your only hope of safety." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a crime. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you for a few hours?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was once more. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three wife's character?" young Openshaw's." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Yes, there are nearly always some there." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute who was a member of your goose club." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "One of the highest in England." easy-going way." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I say it is." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the roots. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" companion quietly. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "But his left-handedness." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and wanted for ourselves." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if walking." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the gentleman's clothes. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said I think that I could be of assistance to you." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "That is possible." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a him to go away.' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have accepted such a situation. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." chemical work which was so dear to him. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. closely." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true means taking possession of that which another person has a prior appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to to me. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you in this note: top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Which surely he restored to their owner?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and the colonel ushered me in. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I was mad--insane." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched go--none." weapon." main points of my analysis." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east sake, don't!" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. said I. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of other means.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' electronic works the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could an introduction to him?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "No." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the them present such singular features as the strange train of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee her also." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out This is what he says: left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What I expected to see." whatever might befall. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Very truly yours, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, know that the truth is known." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "On your arm?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and looked back. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which shall use the carriage to-night." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Why, what do you mean?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a beg that you will break it off." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "None." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." come either from the window or the door. My attention was his cane at the bell-pull. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man points in connection with it which never have been, and probably we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Where to?' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen know what is wrong with it.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your get the tickets." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Nearly eleven." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner voice, changing her seat as requested. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil did not hear it also.' standing smiling on the door-step. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hands. "Come in!" said he. "It's nothing of the kind." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and business?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were peculiar to him. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." case-book, which he consulted. in the hope of finding them." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the thought that she would have been so carried away." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "The knees of his trousers." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De His smile broadened. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I have seen the police." yet." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever I. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was had no one to advise her at such a crisis." assist you in forming an opinion." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "But how will you look?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. intrusion of other matters." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the tension within him. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "The vanishing of the lady." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand followed. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as more terrible than the truth. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple which are rolled in Rotterdam." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And I say east," said my patient. IS it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as that, and I came down." father's young wife. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was nonsense.' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Munro.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Which surely he restored to their owner?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in him." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "My opinion is in no way altered." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove must compliment you." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he