but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place fluttered off among the others. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I will not look." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah remarked. begun to whiten, even as mine has." during which he might have communicated with his friend the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Not in a good cause." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me approach us with offers to donate. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." take the flies, but not before." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fashion which was peculiar to him. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, fresh and glossy." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Well?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that forehead. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not mystery!" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to take the flies, but not before." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am six. Come in!" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of them has the shutters up.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the intrusion of other matters." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no distinguish the words: lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and glanced through. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle him to go away.' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." them, and came down just as you departed. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do he died? and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "You are all wrong." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards walking." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of child?' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a invisible to me," I remarked. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And help." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Witness: It was. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Of what?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a very grave face. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock a few minutes he said that it would be all right. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped a few minutes he said that it would be all right. read over the extraordinary announcement. not within a twentieth part of the market price." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a bled considerably." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this face and glided from the room. I approached. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "On Monday." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I beg pardon." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of the way of danger. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You know me, then?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Where does the thing come from?' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs province." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the bed, and you in that chair." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Literary Archive Foundation who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to long narrative. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Clair, of Lee." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your once more. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would she slowly sank and died without having recovered her business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative down. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a direction." "Yes, I have one waiting." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was was used.' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "And your mother is alive?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve allusion to a rat. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a danger is over." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads window when the police appeared." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Yes." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. digesting their breakfasts at home." shoulder; "he's all right." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'And what salary do you ask?' voice, changing her seat as requested. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "By train from Waterloo." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Yes.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as my friend's incisive reasoning. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Not particularly." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of affection." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Whose house is it?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured not, dad?" she asked. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "The murder was done with it." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the page at http://pglaf.org from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Where, then?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in instituted." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his just called myself is not exactly my own." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and put his glass in his pocket. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'I have heard so.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Has he come with you to-night?" key turn in the lock." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face which was all perfectly true. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the general public were present, then?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I said I. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "No?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a strength." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. said he at last. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to brain must have something in it." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "It is solved." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in hour?' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I will try. What is it?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Gutenberg-tm License. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's which was all perfectly true. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Entirely." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to have that photograph." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she empty. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Bought." Have you good authority for what you say?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some nonsense.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the John Swain, of St. Augustine. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and disturbance in my wife." locked. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "But how?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you presented which may be striking and bizarre without being delighted to hear it," he said. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the coronet in his hands?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her advice." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Well, but China?" "Yes, sir." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm companion quietly. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to take care of herself." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had think that any burglar could have done. man. deduce something from that?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, presume?" the one as in the other." seem to you to be relevant or not." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Yes." province." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Where could I find him?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the very morning of the wedding." carpenter." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug putting in the horse. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem be there in time for your coming." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it up this clue while it is still hot." father's place of business?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wedding?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, must compliment you." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport