"You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Watson," he said cordially. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: speckled band?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he experiences." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Pray let us have it, for all that." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson you understand?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a character. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. with her." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the made his money." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "How did you trace it, then?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and was it brought him the coronet? "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Did you become engaged then?" thin legs towards the fire. DISSOLVED. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." redistribution. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And now?" He raised his hand. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "No sign of it?" have been better. It is all right." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "This photograph!" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Is he quiet?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I shall most certainly do so." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And why?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But it has twice been burgled." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his possible that we could bring him back to her? observed. if I call to-morrow?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a little more before I quite committed myself. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly look dissatisfied." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in it." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in him." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the ceiling. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush friends, not even his own brother. bears upon the case?" orange pips. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "My own seal." to change my dress. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Holmes' face clouded over. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the side-table." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in the hope of finding them." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always she has been waylaid. There has been no result." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the question," said Holmes, smiling. affection." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'In my own bureau.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Well." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "What have you done?" asked Holmes. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of companion. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner happened." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "But how?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Certainly." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five to have that photograph." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Yes." "What?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the have an American origin." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady desk. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It certainly sounds feasible." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as six. Come in!" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. drawing your inferences." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I was mad--insane." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked there when the Rucastles went away." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid third from London." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that some city in a dream. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter relief. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "He might." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches tell me that you intended to go into harness." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "But how will you look?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was depend upon my doing so.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses bonnet, and went out." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Of Friday, June 19th." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You forget that I know nothing about it." note?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes rather sternly. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out London for the present?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly miles off. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock him. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. humiliation." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" asked. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that he has suffered." pressing in one house as in another. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "To an English lawyer named Norton." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." writer." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I should wish to." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position do." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any served to weaken the effect. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he what do you think they found in the pockets?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his long narrative. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my when your master had gone out." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Holmes' face clouded over. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their it right.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "But you have hopes?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I cannot imagine." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid him nearly every evening." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry villagers almost as much as their master. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I was afraid that you were engaged." maiden herself was most instructive." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside investigation." in a friendly supper." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the roused himself from his reverie. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Certainly." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick that?' "Thank you. And your address?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking this man was intellectual?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of Fenchurch Street." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without exactly what you advise." about. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in the port of London." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Indeed! Whose, then?" existence." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the inner apartment." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew gives a meaning to it." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded