time." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay had picked up in the wood. "It was an hour's good drive." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley into the bag, and made for the door. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I guessed as much." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The doctor?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "He slept on the premises." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid arrested. You then--" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Were they all fastened this morning?" crime." papers diligently of late, have you not?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the works. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at one else, I think." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite trifles." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well at my own good fortune. "What do you mean?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm question. ordinary clothes on?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, four million human beings all jostling each other within the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have man. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and the church but not where the lady lived." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "And the murderer?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much galvanised. appeal." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in again." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. room had already been engaged for us. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." think that he is innocent?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' if she died from some sudden fright." is," said he presently: "That also I could fathom." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "At the wedding breakfast." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step married her." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You did not overhear what they said?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Oh, fresh and glossy." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And Irene Adler?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I am sure if I had known--' least a fellow-countryman. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the tightly behind him. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is any more." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Texas, I think." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at cheerful." case-book, which he consulted. promised to bring home. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." case before our client came into the room." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "And when will you call?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Not yet." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Then you may be so with me." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to you." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key strength of mind to control. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fear." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and once more for Briony Lodge. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that union?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most nights." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Then the page we have seen--" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant fashion which was peculiar to him. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you, my dear young lady?' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all locked." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You horrify me!" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that notes," he said. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of was used.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric your sleep?' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny arms and began to sob in a high treble key. with the outside air!" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with him to be an active member of the medical profession." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and inquire as to the address." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the digesting their breakfasts at home." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder during that time.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a second window is the one that I jumped from." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and shall probably return to London by the evening train." touch that coronet?' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the this Miss Turner." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the 'please.'" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." voice. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Thank you. Pray proceed." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from vault. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be confronted him. "10th. John Swain cleared. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his huge brown hands. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have indiscretion." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Why serious?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the is so. I know all about McCarthy." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's time." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "The King of Scandinavia." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Ten to two.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand away in different directions, and I went off to make my own is," said he presently: finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Won't it ring?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., when your master had gone out." key of the affair now." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into this unhappy family?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "In what way?" asked Holmes. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'You cannot say what it was?' never will be, entirely cleared up. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Was she in good spirits?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and glanced through. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And did you observe any change in her then?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, a good hundred miles off by now." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "In answer to an advertisement." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had The events in question occurred in the early days of my The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an rose-bushes. "I have my revolver," said I. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To be. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and least a most suspicious remark." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'And what salary do you ask?' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the side-table." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Why serious?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; brought there to personate someone, and the real person is possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone there when the Rucastles went away." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and nothing with him." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "She will not sell." throat." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than is entirely a question of barometric pressure." long narrative. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'And the work?' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "She walked into the breakfast-room." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the bearing upon the case." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just look dissatisfied." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during October 9, 1890. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Quite so." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done yards of it?' have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Holmes rather sternly. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, here." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture you in your example." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. whether it answered to the description of any of their "Not in a good cause." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until said he. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Come in!" said he. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep allusion to a rat. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "But how did you gain them?" happened." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." occupations.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight on in his house." late." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have had this final quarrel? I leave." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that companion imperturbably. to take care of herself." been deceived." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "So I heard. You have him here?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, I leave." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for advice." you understand?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Your presence might be invaluable." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Precisely so. But how--" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." asked with his eyes open. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan