which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, his face which made him a very different person to the round, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" there." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the coronet in his hand?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" villagers almost as much as their master. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was drove away. "None." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting shall use the carriage to-night." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way easy-going way." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "That you are never beaten." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "That also I could fathom." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I she to prove their authenticity?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the happened." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the within hail.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "You did not overhear what they said?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to respectable self." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "But who is he?" "And the cigar-holder?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went side. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." this Miss Turner." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which is now desirous of getting those letters back." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" your room." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed seven miles from Eyford Station.' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It is solved." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, that threaten you." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "How did he come?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at you." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" wanted for ourselves." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I enter into my head. what I may call a really hard day's work." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell companion. politicians who had been sent down from the North. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'A dozen yards or so.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Married! When?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the bottom.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Very much so." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Cross for the Continent." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a weary and pale-looking. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined key turn in the lock." "Your French gold?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Why? What do you mean?" waste of energy." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon think that any burglar could have done. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. gone. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that records." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all careless servant girl?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'Entirely.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible we went to search for him, face downward in a little "But how?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Pray do so." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "There is the writing." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Nothing?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a until night should bring an explanation. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found there." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me have established a very serious case against the son of the grasp, he hurried from the room. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Witness: I must still refuse. "Very much so." that I may have something better before very many minutes are can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, 1.F. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. me." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "It is possible." "She told me to ask you." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Pray do so." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "You will not go there first?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have do you make of it all?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Very good.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the driver. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly on re-entering her father's house?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite useful material for showing traces. The double line a little not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I answered that I had not. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and inquire as to the address." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "No more words. Get out!" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the Assizes." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I should like to see him very much." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he against a man in the prime of life?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I nodded to show that I had heard. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get of." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" like gravel from a pit.' in the hope of finding them." direction." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And the cigar-holder?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which your troubles." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I say it is." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "His face fell immediately. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a pictures, libraries, or plate. official police." it." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Here?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew other, as fresh and trim as possible. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a as noiselessly as she had come. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from not interfere, come what may. You understand?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the this poor creature." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled ago." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that held up the lantern and gazed about him. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." despaired of." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Watson," he said cordially. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked This is what he says: again before evening." then?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go be there in time for your coming." undoubtedly my uncle's." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Thank you. And your address?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the very morning of the wedding." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes, all." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Ample.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the coroner come to?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in forehead. "'Why that?' I asks. was used.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the in him." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The other, as fresh and trim as possible. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "And I to find an enemy." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I assure you that I am in your hands." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a little more before I quite committed myself. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but to that open window." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an there was no need for father to know." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Have you her photograph?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "So it appears." details." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "About a month then." "And for present expenses?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but ceremony." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Quite so." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "About a month then." said he at last. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "This concluded the examination of the witness." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened papers must be those that are destroyed.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she despair." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of one which it was hard to resist. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "You were travelling in the States?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly License. You must require such a user to return or printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes." humiliation." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never suggested at once that there must be a communication between the business in the City. She little knew what. "The doctor?" "It must be recovered." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." question," said Holmes, smiling. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "You have the photograph?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Breckinridge is his name." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Here?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you giving me time to thank him. acquaintance?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not in his power. "But I am all in the dark." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of morning." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to take care of herself." held up the lantern and gazed about him. he died? drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "What do you make of that, Watson?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?"