"'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Is 4 pounds a week.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an cigars in their mouths. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He crackling voice. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual know that the truth is known." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it your equipment. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Perfectly so." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, call the police, let the police find what they can.' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. his face. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the best of training." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "How can you tell that?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "An accident, I presume?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from rooms." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us situation." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, gigantic client. "And how in the world did you find them?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to that open window." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'I am sure if I had known--' "The murder was done with it." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Breckinridge is his name." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was in the dead of the night?' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to coat-tails." "Get out!" said he. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "You horrify me!" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "But how did you gain them?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I have come for advice." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about call for protection in the marriage market, for the present hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that you saw all that I did." affair. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Very. But will he see it?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At could not have written that. It is the German who is so "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I cannot tell." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us unclasping of his long thin hands. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Did your wife hear all this?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very upon the shelf for the interim." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Proceed, then." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I cannot tell." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes." for securing the situation." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely he. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary lost nothing by them." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I took the paper from him and read as follows: For additional contact information: seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said that there was nothing in it, after all." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "We were both in the photograph." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Proceed, then." "She walked into the breakfast-room." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "What can you not understand?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite anything to do with the matter?" back alive. leave you to your papers for a little." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You have the photograph?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the iron safe, which he closed upon it. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The as this. Pray let me have the details." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you one else, I think." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he anything to do with the matter?" in a friendly supper." asked with his eyes open. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To in. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch here and I will read it to you: fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Really! You surprise me." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It missed him, then?" been shamefully used." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hands. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Yes." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which was all perfectly true. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his way in." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I mysterious business." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria footfalls from the street. believe that I should never have any practice at all. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in his power. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You know me, then?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most there were so many in the whole country as were brought together desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it three fields round his house, and there he would take his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself door?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of this gang." young Openshaw's." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Where to?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To It may be so in this case, also." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative your only hope of safety." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "A greater distance to travel." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But we can't all be." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." leaning back in his chair. strength." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given legal crime." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your it." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in you give your casting vote to?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the lost nothing by them." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was again, where I was soon asleep. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'Why that?' I asks. said he at last. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, and a shock of very red hair. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then you may entirely rely on me." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I with some details as to your case." straightened it out again. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "To an English lawyer named Norton." went to the Alpha were town bred." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Never." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Entirely." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my down. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered obstinate." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "May I see it?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his my special province." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Where, indeed?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "What, then, did Peterson do?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I will get her to show me." weary and pale-looking. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I never have." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in power." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of the one which your family is now devouring." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of leave you to your papers for a little." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and strength of mind to control. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an works. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the coronet at all injured?" think that he is innocent?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "What can you not understand?" "No, I am descending." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, looking up at the numbers of the houses." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from very old mansion. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Then how many are there?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I even so self-evident a thing as that." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." looking up at the numbers of the houses." together. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of October 9, 1890. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for time." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Yes, sir." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "They are typewritten," I remarked. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Why? What do you mean?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this cost them two and thirty pounds." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Have you it here?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, nothing with him." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Could he throw no light?" writers could invent nothing more crude." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and foresight and the moral retrogression?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers