and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever mystery!" room. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds house for five minutes.' "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor gives a meaning to it." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Holmes, the busybody!" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for should be taken.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. will he say when he returns?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its vanished into the darkness. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind not interfere, come what may. You understand?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes, that is the Crown." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." colour had been driven from his face. "You don't mind breaking the law?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to me. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you go from here to the Strand." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "None." "You horrify me!" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that your room." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the hard-headed British jury." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Of what?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Get out!" said he. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I notes," he said. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I never have." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "It looks newer than the other things?" child?' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, you in yours." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." with her." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "She will not sell." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." will not take me long to tell. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "No, distinctly professional." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "And I." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "So it appears." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and put his glass in his pocket. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be intimate personal affairs in this public manner." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these spare." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story there." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the remarked. bearing upon the case." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the side-table." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'As governess?' "On your arm?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, easy-going way." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of your young ladies.' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Mary, has deserted me." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her my special province." nights." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and inquire as to the address." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "She walked into the breakfast-room." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere gone. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition said he. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that had formerly been in part my own. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Could he throw no light?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "What is it, then--a fire?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Not yet." crackling voice. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing chill to my heart. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. followed. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg throat." you in yours." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hands. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the bottom.' And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I say it is." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to a more successful conclusion." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "About a month then." occurred." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Is purely nominal.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in his power. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to better grown goose." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "And you don't know his address?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase respectable self." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four shaken than I had ever seen him. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You have a clue?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes, at the mines." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'Certainly not.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "But his left-handedness." "And the murderer?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Was he the only applicant?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and outbreak?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'And the work?' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "There are none." that, and I came down." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "My own seal." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Entirely." your equipment. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. undoubtedly my uncle's." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of look dissatisfied." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the coroner come to?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "One horse?" interjected Holmes. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to have been novel and of interest." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no so.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Then I do not see the point." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before back alive. "Have you it here?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A chair. her also." that he has suffered." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said charged with?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have jewels which you have stolen?' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed know that the truth is known." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every asked. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." seem to you to be relevant or not." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I should wish to." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "They are typewritten," I remarked. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had charge against him will break down." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a than was visible to me." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter villagers almost as much as their master. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Nothing." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "What are they?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to certainly not very gracious." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I meant it for the best. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain attention." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of them?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled arrested. You then--" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of this gang." "You are hungry," I remarked. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It must be recovered." sofa. This way, please!" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Perfectly so." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'And what salary do you ask?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I evidence," I remarked. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you bonnet, and went out." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It is possible." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sufficient punishment." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Then let me do so?' propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of father's young wife. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Look there!" said he. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "But how?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "She walked into the breakfast-room." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" strength." "Then you may entirely rely on me." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair.