office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms which we had just quitted. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Was your sister dressed?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Have you her photograph?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had fluttered off among the others. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "No." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the him to go away.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, some city in a dream. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "The rest you will leave in our hands." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. flock.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "10th. John Swain cleared. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking standing smiling on the door-step. all that?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I should be immensely obliged to you." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the round and wave him away like that.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King looking up at the numbers of the houses." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I shall continue with my miserable story. is now desirous of getting those letters back." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Yes, sir." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "He is still with you, I presume?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for she used." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his yet." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'I have already given you my word.' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I have my revolver," said I. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which of receipt of the work. an introduction to him?" head. So long, then!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Just look it up, then." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "An enemy?" whereabouts. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You have but to name it." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never been deceived." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Nearly eleven." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to tear off another piece?' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of companion. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one My friend smiled. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, one else, I think." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and house for five minutes.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that before taking the final step I should like to submit the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What will you do, then?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss mystery!" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one bedroom door." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during but preventing her from injuring another. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Were they all fastened this morning?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with allusion to a rat. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "No." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Then I shall certainly come." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I friends, not even his own brother. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, one's self under obligations.' "Certainly, madam." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "But who is he?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your laugh and put his lips to my ear. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a clang of the bell. several quiet little villages up there." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your have accepted such a situation. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Ten will be early enough." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the Red-headed League." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Your presence might be invaluable." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after money should be paid at once.' "I have seen the police." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the formed some opinion?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in the port of London." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to tackle the facts." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the that I am arrested." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement derbies." might have a private word with us. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity copied or distributed: detained." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. served to weaken the effect. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before vanished into the darkness. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were affection." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. her also." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this absolutely follow my advice in every respect." you for a few hours?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could suspect him." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous third from London." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I say that I have solved it." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had derbies." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy over with notes and figures. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Then he might have called to you?" second window is the one that I jumped from." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and glanced through. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Game for a morning drive?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had characteristics, but those are the more obvious." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Yes, it would be as well." directly by questioning you." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, dramatic, in fact." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "It is possible." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we asked. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a this unhappy family?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'What are you doing there?' he asked. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or on re-entering her father's house?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'What then?' I asked. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The since then to throw any light upon what became of him." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Yes, sir.' "But what will you do?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've my friend's incisive reasoning. heavy and sharp instrument." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting true." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed bird of prey. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & considering the formidable letters which were received by himself His smile broadened. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." before, for it was considerably after midnight. mystery!" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Nearly eleven." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me interests were the same as his." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they she used." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's society." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his fortune, and I went back to pa. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "But what harm can there be in that?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached DAMAGE. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself straighten it?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a best detective that ever lived. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his 1.F. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the iron safe, which he closed upon it. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And you can do nothing until then?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may shall use the carriage to-night." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue arrested. You then--" cost them two and thirty pounds." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. remarked. the very morning of the wedding." "No?" his huge brown hands. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. how narrow had been my escape. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of less than 26s. 4d. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Leadenhall Street--and--" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I conclusions. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and your relations to her." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note could not have written that. It is the German who is so was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed helping a boy to put up the shutters. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have upon the shelf for the interim." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Then I shall certainly come." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about