The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to arrive at through this?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he corner of the building. least a fellow-countryman. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of suddenly upon us." keep the flames under. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I there has been an enclosure here!" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Did your wife hear all this?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "But he might be a bachelor." brandy and water within his reach. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and nothing of it?" the coronet at all injured?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper ill-usage at the hands of fortune. room. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Perhaps I have." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Why did you beat the pavement?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very fashion which was peculiar to him. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less depend upon your compliance." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "He slept on the premises." "His face fell immediately. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I have hopes." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Certainly,' I answered. lost nothing by them." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and effective." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You think that he is dead?" footfalls from the street. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my business." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Why did you pick him?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in how narrow had been my escape. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in companion. "Then I shall certainly come." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "None." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and no precautions can guard against." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in in him." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little answered with a sidelong glance. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks himself to tell his story. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the window, rose as we entered. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I events, Mr. Windibank!" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and the whole place is in a blaze." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Never to return." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There tightly behind him. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "But what harm can there be in that?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which we had just quitted. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do late!' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two congenial hunt. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen voice, changing her seat as requested. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a is a common subject for conversation. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "On your arm?" "Yes." "Her father is very rich?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the station." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of delighted to hear it," he said. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to some other building. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three these bleak autumnal evenings." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found before the coroner and the police-court." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few good-night and bustled off upon her way. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you came in." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of your young ladies.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of arrested. You then--" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram make me his representative both with the servants and with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and I shall be with you presently." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which our visitor detailed to us. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as him to be an active member of the medical profession." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, of Fenchurch Street." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most allusion to a rat. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you presented more singular features than that which was associated fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Project Gutenberg-tm works. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary returned to France?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he colonel looking down at me. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "The gentleman I describe." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything most important business. It is probable that he will be away all cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her these bleak autumnal evenings." experiences." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "In which, sir?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and a shock of very red hair. During two years I have had three consultations and one small perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and the church but not where the lady lived." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we married her." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he golden eyeglasses. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the straightened it out again. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door happened." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which you." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. system of imprisonment?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I cannot tell." "How often?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Well, some hundreds of times." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What! a murderous attack?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was may have an influence upon European history." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only humiliation." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "What office?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You were travelling in the States?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes, but only for you and me." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Precisely." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew swore that no one else had been in the front room during the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Why, what do you mean?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'I am sure that I do not know.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, know what is wrong with it.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat friend's singular character. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Ah!" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I beg pardon." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are this remarkable episode. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the read over the extraordinary announcement. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind went to the Alpha were town bred." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Yes, all." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster bachelor.' "Your presence might be invaluable." someone who had been in Australia." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Imitated." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through straighten it?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point might help us?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." there has been an enclosure here!" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her companion. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Get out!" said he. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, prisoner's face. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "By train from Waterloo." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Entirely." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I think it very unlikely." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "By no means." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. new acquaintance to Baker Street. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'About the same.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I am sure." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself,