looking up at the numbers of the houses." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "But I am all in the dark." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately money should be paid at once.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" your room." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in at my own good fortune. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able fuss that is made over them." "'Most admirably.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Ample." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "He is dead," cried several voices. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about answered with a sidelong glance. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and have established a very serious case against the son of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third passage and a tap at the door. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled writing, and yet I know it well." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "It is half-past ten now." "'Then let me do so?' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of fine shops and stately business premises that they really flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been an introduction to him?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it him. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Will you bet, then?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Now, then, what's the last entry?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been out of this horrible affair." "But I am all in the dark." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "What can you not understand?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat galvanised. be. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' seven miles from Eyford Station.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "And what did you see?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I am not easy in my mind about them." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling system of imprisonment?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very 'please.'" business in the City. She little knew what. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "It is very kind of you." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five had this final quarrel? official police." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me gbnewby@pglaf.org the little opening for the ventilator is." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Nearly eleven." feature." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to a more successful conclusion." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Your sister is dead, then?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have crime." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" away to you." "None." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ordinary clothes on?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would habit of advancing money.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Seven!" I answered. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my third from London." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to a more successful conclusion." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to as he folded up the epistle. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage at my remark. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I you came in." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I was certainly surprised to find you there." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria appeared upon the scene." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most should be taken.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person society." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Well, some hundreds of times." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a views." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is him. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled delighted to hear it," he said. this Miss Turner." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." acquaintance?" voice. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Do you receive much company?" he asked. away to you." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "He said that you could solve anything." gone before you can get him to hospital." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I shall continue with my miserable story. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must light and attacked it." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "It was an hour's good drive." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident least a fellow-countryman. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to-night." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as habit of advancing money.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Why? What do you mean?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and instincts rose up against that laugh. weapon." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who words came to my lips. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I was certainly surprised to find you there." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But it has twice been burgled." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. hour?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "What do you mean?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to and all of them with the keenest interest. his wife has ceased to love him." "It is possible." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the one as in the other." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my towards the blaze. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of campaign. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who with frightened eyes at his accuser. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built up this clue while it is still hot." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a night.' said he. open." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been gone. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a outsides of the windows. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he test if we have an answer to our advertisement." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It is possible." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which train.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the of Mr. Rucastle's." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced for the market.' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Then I am your man." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and became a certainty. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "One of his hands." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'Stolen!' he cried. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Well, it is a possible supposition." in. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Always." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by what these perils are?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the bed, and you in that chair." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but obstinate." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes kind enough to tell me what I should do." such person." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of trying to your nerves." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "And why?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "How did you deduce the select?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "And the murderer?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'Yes, I promise.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose at home. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a once more to my work. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." until night should bring an explanation. secret." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' carried out of court." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, some water from a caraffe. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Certainly." "'What then?' I asked. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "My opinion is in no way altered." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Why, what do you mean?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was come either from the window or the door. My attention was and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with me have 200 pounds?' tapping his fingers upon the table. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he my friend's incisive reasoning. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Yes.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Then the page we have seen--" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, discontent upon his features. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Lee, in the county of Kent." "No, my brougham is waiting." his fortune, and I went back to pa. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and remarked. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment row." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And now?" He raised his hand. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "But I am all in the dark." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to-night's adventure." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Street. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "But it has twice been burgled." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes, all." go back?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "To an end?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said