"Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. detective. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "What steps will you take?" I asked. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "At what time?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'As governess?' his eyes and forehead. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "And how did he make his money?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that about here speaks of his kindness to him." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Was there a secret marriage?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But what will you do?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody guilty parties." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "To an end?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less spark where all is dark to me." over part of the map. "What do you read?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out waste of energy." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "The decline of his fortunes, then?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, writer." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, may have an influence upon European history." important." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and a shock of very red hair. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "We have tried and failed." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that threaten you." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil you, my dear young lady?' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Yes." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your towards the blaze. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "And why in hopes?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will done what I asked you, Jones?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." in darkness. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this them, and came down just as you departed. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You were travelling in the States?" "Dirty?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. where we are going." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Certainly." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But I am all in the dark." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I answered that I had not. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again telegram would bring me down to your help." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Yes, sir.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of less than 26s. 4d. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the whole matter to your consideration." evidence," I remarked. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The even so self-evident a thing as that." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an matter." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's it." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Is he quiet?" which was all perfectly true. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Never.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Did you become engaged then?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Very murderous indeed." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I have come for advice." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I was certainly surprised to find you there." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Yes, sir.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Oh, the cause is excellent!" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it weighed down with some great anxiety. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey straighten it?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the arrested. You then--" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took feature." bell. Holmes whistled. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold these bleak autumnal evenings." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned cigar and let me expound." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever unprofitable." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." suspect him." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an God! What an exposure! What can I do?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his John Swain, of St. Augustine. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "What?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. what these perils are?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I say that I have solved it." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique begun to whiten, even as mine has." your sleep?' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to a more successful conclusion." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are wall." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the ago." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'What would be the hours?' I asked. nice household for a young lady." have one." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the night.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Did you observe the colour?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself asked. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and in the port of London." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Sutherland?" bill, which interests me deeply." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You horrify me!" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." society." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Then I do not see the point." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the pound a week." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "And Irene Adler?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so nonsense.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" man. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, becomes even more simple." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Upon what point?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I took the paper from him and read as follows: "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I have hopes." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. your sleep?' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an assist you in forming an opinion." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "One of his hands." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be get her out of the way." "He is still with you, I presume?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing astonishment. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to it means?" "No, I had a dozen." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Pray tell us what has happened to you." as he folded up the epistle. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, seven miles from Eyford Station.' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes, that is the Crown." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that be. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not upon the sideboard." me have 200 pounds?' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a The summons was a brief and urgent one. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter are windows in it, of course?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Does that suggest anything?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were maid will bring up your coffee." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I should wish to." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the take the flies, but not before." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Pray continue your narrative." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the matter?" "I am armed." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Holmes' face clouded over. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' everything which you would wish to know." them?" it means?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of been." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Sholtos." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Sholtos." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." main points of my analysis." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, but only for you and me." "It came here." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all his forehead." was used.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his dates and names. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I extraordinary contortions. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and his face. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' excitement. conceal it?" them?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that this unhappy family?" guilty parties." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Yes, all." "Yes." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and a shock of very red hair. directors, with the result that you have seen." garden below. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to