following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the here." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the running down." the child." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "He disappeared so suddenly." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's case before our client came into the room." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' time." "That you are never beaten." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had in the port of London." were unconscious?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "And when will you call?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very everything which you would wish to know." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "If so, much may have happened between." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Ha! you find it so?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son again, where I was soon asleep. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic friends, not even his own brother. colonel looking down at me. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "What! a murderous attack?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my been." "I am in hopes that she does." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we thought that she would have been so carried away." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the south-west, I see." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "What! a murderous attack?" "At the wedding breakfast." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been train.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to was keenly on my guard against him. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted was the fact that his father should, according to his account, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in through." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some colour had been driven from his face. cause to be." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a said Mr. Holder. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I think that it is very probable." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "No, but the enclosure is." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' posted to-day." "I was mad--insane." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "The King of Scandinavia." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and effective." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes, certainly." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Yes." "Why serious?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old all?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he conceal it?" other means.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there crowd. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been bears upon the case?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "The King of Scandinavia." read it out to me." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I do." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips chill to my heart. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Very well, sir. And this stone?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I do." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have where Mr. Fordham shows you.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Yes, sir.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you you." The King stared at him in amazement. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "How on earth--" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." For additional contact information: a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a himself to tell his story. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Your French gold?" "It is solved." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "And now?" I asked. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "And how in the world did you find them?" "Was he the only applicant?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Of Friday, June 19th." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Where, then?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "My own seal." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always affair. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from imbecility!" he cried. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ventilator." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The place no limit on the sum I may draw." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Pray let us have it, for all that." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Yes." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." ashen face. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began roused himself from his reverie. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you do it in twenty minutes!' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "We must have a cab." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Why, what do you mean?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. acted in my house last night?" "Yes." again, where I was soon asleep. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening golden eyeglasses. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met are, and they are waiting for us." asked with his eyes open. quickly through a disagreeable task. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he opened a pocket-book and took out a note. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry just ask you whether you had heard it.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the matter." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Sutherland. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough in the port of London." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just with you?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is business at Coburg Square is serious." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of politicians who had been sent down from the North. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to sneer upon his pale face. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you at home. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said reach." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the experiences." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire back to my heart. have one." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the wife's character?" been with you?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" there when the Rucastles went away." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking been able to understand it, in a very few words. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of were wasted." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was strong reason behind." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner off." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Oh, no.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to-night?' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Watson," he said cordially. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This to me. her also." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Certainly,' I answered. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'I am sure if I had known--' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. them present such singular features as the strange train of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after tell them apart.' had a long day." there was no need for father to know." records." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened was shining brightly. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of at a side door. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. dates and names. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was lame." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of campaign. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would six. Come in!" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of long narrative. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I before the coroner and the police-court." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, as this. Pray let me have the details." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "He is still with you, I presume?" fatally injured? then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I me. You must get home instantly and act." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must locked. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had lost his Christmas dinner." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that your billet.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Where did you address your letters, then?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on