shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which overpowering excitement and concern. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to he. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of it with the greatest attention. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet during the last few years, and there are many noble families to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes, he did." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements attention." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. village inn over there?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the matter?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at congratulate you again." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go pierced for earrings?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" all?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a had picked up in the wood. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Was there a secret marriage?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. should be taken.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "An accident, I presume?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You have carte blanche." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "There are none." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "No." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep heavily into it. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. unclasping of his long thin hands. annoyance, but no jest. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had said he. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely which should have the effect of calling the attention of the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, all that?" security.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the page at http://pglaf.org "She walked into the breakfast-room." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to his chemical studies. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Doctor, of the paper and the date." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "She showed me, as I told you she would." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from III. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that companion imperturbably. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be invisible to me," I remarked. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." is worth.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was confronted him. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll present strange and interesting features that it is no easy me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Married! When?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "The landlord of the Alpha." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I cannot say that I have." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did laugh and put his lips to my ear. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Ha! you find it so?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "By no means." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Sholtos." ordinary clothes on?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much hands. "What, then, did Peterson do?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of campaign. father's young wife. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Why that?' I asks. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and effective." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thirty. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. on in his house." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads daring than any effort of the imagination." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'I am sure if I had known--' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." acquaintance?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet you, my dear young lady?' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "What do you mean?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by despair." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'I shall certainly be there.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your this poor creature." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I am in hopes that she does." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' room. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client call it cruel." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Not social, then?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from place of silver." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which was shining brightly. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Do you receive much company?" he asked. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, chance at all." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a clanging. fluttered off among the others. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "So I have heard." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Nothing." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I interest. They are important, you understand, without being outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which them?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has locked." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you started for the Temple to see my husband. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay least a most suspicious remark." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What do you make of that, Watson?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting window when the police appeared." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an bird I ate is country bred." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few business." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong whether it answered to the description of any of their bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban hair?' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Always." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Watson," he said cordially. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see enter Dr. Roylott's room." appeal." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch recover the gem." "You horrify me!" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and looked back. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with the outside air!" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without occurred." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of up this clue while it is still hot." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the at home. "So I have heard." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He your most interesting statement." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting and effective." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "From his hat?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some village inn over there?" dead, shall be safe with us." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of room?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Of what day?" "'Which dealer's?' gigantic client. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I good for you to do.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His you understand?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I business in the City. She little knew what. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs asked. awkward doing business with an alias." "It must be recovered." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it secret." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the Assizes." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It bird of prey. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking lips." "Was he the only applicant?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Entirely." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "But your client--" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I chambers. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. once more to my work. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction forbidden door. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the south-west, I see." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "VIOLET HUNTER." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most felt?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his highly," said Holmes. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Well, some hundreds of times." Where does the thing come from?' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Miss Holder?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had could not account in any way for the presence of the missing impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And how in the world did you find them?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Never to return." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "What then?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very