"Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to hand, madam?" "In answer to an advertisement." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, used to be." of the vacancies.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Her father is very rich?" "The vanishing of the lady." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "That sounds a little paradoxical." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the matter?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been other means.' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. chance." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." quick march!" fashion which was peculiar to him. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the companion quietly. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it than was visible to me." me have 200 pounds?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. door?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come success. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You don't mind breaking the law?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of the efforts of the United States government and of the better was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. even so self-evident a thing as that." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what read over the extraordinary announcement. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from will take you up to see the machine.' "And sit in the dark?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw your bag." "Then, as to money?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I would give my fortune to have them back." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those acquaintance?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are he. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double mysterious business." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "My Mary? Impossible!" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who row." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or floor. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several at home. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was a perfect sample of the class. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the general public were present, then?" "And from a noble client?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of recover the gem." away to you." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Did you observe the colour?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Then what has happened to him?" empty. must compliment you." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered third from London." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Yes, all." "I guessed as much." "It looks newer than the other things?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, prison!" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Yes, sir.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my which are rolled in Rotterdam." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I answered that I had not. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that instincts rose up against that laugh. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the done what I asked you, Jones?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fuss that is made over them." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "The knees of his trousers." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. questioning and rather startled gaze. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Texas, I think." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, remarked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander business matters.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the room. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen breakfast." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed strength." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Which are?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Did you become engaged then?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had him to go away.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to grasp, he hurried from the room. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found appeal." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." allusion to a rat. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, standing smiling on the door-step. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Never." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows think, you have already met." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "By no means." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over crowd. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Cross for the Continent." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Indeed! Whose, then?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be asked. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, for its centre. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in companion imperturbably. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever morning." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, call you and give you the chance." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of pound a week." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Mary, has deserted me." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Where, indeed?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was shaken than I had ever seen him. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "If so, much may have happened between." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Did you observe the colour?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "So I am. Very much so." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "By no means." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was a lad." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that in his hands." "No." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting least a fellow-countryman. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fact, we may call it conclusive." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Murdered?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid in the hope of finding them." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "So I have heard." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it." is a common subject for conversation. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "So I heard. You have him here?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the roots. suddenly upon us." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that she used." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I never have." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." never to learn it at all." "Then what has happened to him?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "But his lameness?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush stood on the top of it. "Yes, at the mines." "I have seen the police." shaken than I had ever seen him. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the License. You must require such a user to return or "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Is he quiet?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley my former friend and companion. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, as this. Pray let me have the details." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the general public were present, then?" in darkness. "The landlord of the Alpha." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Mary, has deserted me." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a that you wished to speak to me?' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Of what?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Again Holmes raved in the air. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the said Mr. Holder. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered whatever might befall. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." would then never go into court at all." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to his cane at the bell-pull. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy attention." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the awkward doing business with an alias." "That is it on the dressing-table." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Not particularly." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before closely." room?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up it." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' IS "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square