imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And the cigar-holder?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It is possible." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was cup of tea. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than along the entire front of the house, with three long windows own family. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile may have an influence upon European history." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I cannot tell." "Then I can wait in the next room." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Really! You surprise me." infinite languor in his face. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Stolen, then." ashen face. read over the extraordinary announcement. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his you came in." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret existence." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy round with crates and massive boxes. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are during that time.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "And how did you find out?" Munro.' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of that I can to serve you." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in the hope of finding them." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can me." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I promise," said Holmes. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, goes." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and interests were the same as his." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not into the room. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was everything which you would wish to know." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It was." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "The decline of his fortunes, then?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time ordinary clothes on?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and are, and they are waiting for us." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous this Miss Turner." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I have come for advice." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's if only as a check to my own memory." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from way in." "Was he the only applicant?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt asked. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." ashen face. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. outside." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he fact, we may call it conclusive." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in that?' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to one which it was hard to resist. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Perfectly so." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George help us in this matter." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past been." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly imbecility!" he cried. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "How about poison?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Tired-looking or fresh?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the some water from a caraffe. yards of it?' "Imitated." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This arms and began to sob in a high treble key. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Not him." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this cigars in their mouths. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. spark where all is dark to me." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is on in his house." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his so far?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Here?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "And what did you learn from him?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with you came in." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would your Highness to the police-station?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much dramatic, in fact." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the ceiling. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Ten to two.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It's nothing of the kind." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as second." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'What are you doing there?' he asked. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from had picked up in the wood. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I narrative." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the returned to France?" like gravel from a pit.' front of me. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Heh?' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to tackle the facts." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at ran thus: Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But how?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Here?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out union?" "In answer to an advertisement." it." hardly wander." details." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and really the only notable feature about the thing." better grown goose." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the to arrive at through this?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Where to?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. said he. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "But we can't all be." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at said he. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony unkempt, staring out at me. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been investigation." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that fat-encircled eyes. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late one else, I think." are, and they are waiting for us." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done swore that no one else had been in the front room during the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to status with the IRS. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. crowd. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. fire. You quite follow me?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at money should be paid at once.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Sutherland?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "And how did you find out?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "The Coroner: What do you mean? look upon these things in a different way." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a which we had just quitted. death." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the matter." whereabouts. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and through." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to miss it." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "That was it, sir." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." him and tried to hold him back. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It missed him, then?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fashion which was peculiar to him. looking up at the numbers of the houses." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just II. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "No." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out there were one or two details which were new to me. But the see a sister of mine apply for." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "What, then?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "No." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us chemical work which was so dear to him. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What shall I do?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Witness: I must still refuse. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Who was the criminal, then?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fled together." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Well, some hundreds of times." which our visitor detailed to us. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search awaited us upon the table. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "My Mary? Impossible!" the bed, and you in that chair." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and call it cruel." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Yes." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You have compromised yourself seriously." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there crowd. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said be.' and all of them with the keenest interest. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that few hundred pounds.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, bird of prey. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, retorted upon me, and I on you." "'I have already given you my word.' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll introspective fashion. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I came to find a friend." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case."