"But how could you guess what the motive was?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "If so, much may have happened between." promised to bring home. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes, sir." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and security.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be into the room. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to-night?" I asked. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It surprised me." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, your troubles." "I am sure." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have I gained?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'It is locked up,' I answered. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster him to go away.' chance." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the morning and make my own way in the world.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Will you go?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Where could I find him?' best detective that ever lived. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I see many objections to any such theory." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Perhaps we may make them less so." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness indeed happy." is so. I know all about McCarthy." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'What do you call purely nominal?' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Nothing?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from know that the truth is known." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to noting anything else of interest. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us roused himself from his reverie. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'What would be the hours?' I asked. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I don't believe it." "It looks newer than the other things?" "No good news?" "'Where could I find him?' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I have seen the police." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, your co-operation." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the husband's writing, madam." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to gives a meaning to it." fasten all the windows?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Never." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, sneer upon his pale face. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major awaited us upon the table. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I have my revolver," said I. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And I say east," said my patient. long narrative. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "And now?" I asked. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 most interesting one." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I have hopes." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I returned to France?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the driver. carried out of court." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the coroner come to?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall few hundred pounds.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." furiously. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and you in your example." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most writers could invent nothing more crude." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a not fit the lock." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with answer." relief. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "But what is it you wish?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too you?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind happened." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny wedding?" "Did you observe the colour?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to his chemical studies. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Holmes rather sternly. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Edgeware Road. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign me." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss ago." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." upon the shelf for the interim." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in better grown goose." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, such attractions and accomplishments?' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in to tackle the facts." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "What will you do, then?" there has been an enclosure here!" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've disappearance of the bride.'" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Murdered?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "The best possible." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "When did it break out?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the coronet at all injured?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. together. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The landlord of the Alpha." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes once more. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' here." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did one of them." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it round and wave him away like that.' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment rose-bushes. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' fluttered off among the others. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the was a perfect sample of the class. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You horrify me." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Holmes." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I am in hopes that she does." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to-night." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of here." "I am sure." any more." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cheerful." "And how did he make his money?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of receipt of the work. "And how have you succeeded?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Yes." carriage. It was a chestnut." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." nothing of it?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, obstinate." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook easy-going way." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of your young ladies.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed narrative." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had records." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be our word." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if congratulate you again." "Where did he live, then?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That is it on the dressing-table." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." started for the Temple to see my husband. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Absolutely none." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stalked out of the room. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense go--none." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the yet." over here." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I should wish to." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'I am sure if I had known--' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have be. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Your French gold?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Pope's Court. brandy and water within his reach. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Yes, that is the Crown." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I say that I have solved it." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat