drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "What will you say?" in my life." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you been with you?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, of the vacancies.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Witness: It was. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "The King of Scandinavia." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came tied." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two south, for the country is more deserted there." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'I shall certainly be there.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No, I am descending." discontent upon his features. that there was nothing in it, after all." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You have compromised yourself seriously." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat shoulder; "he's all right." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, shall not find me ungrateful." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. charged with?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in awkward doing business with an alias." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in prison!" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that is," said he presently: least a most suspicious remark." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Of what day?" "Where, indeed?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" way in." "Certainly." "Entirely." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "And help." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over writing, and yet I know it well." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'A dozen yards or so.' it were putty." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." that he will be back before evening." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the iron safe, which he closed upon it. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are father's place of business?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "But how?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." less than 26s. 4d. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed DISSOLVED. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Do you know him?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have one." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in upon the sideboard." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "A confidential servant?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made might help us?" she might be summoned. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Where, then, is my wife?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "No." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin into the bag, and made for the door. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of there in twenty minutes." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Pray let us have it, for all that." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, your Highness to the police-station?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow stood on the top of it. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by really the only notable feature about the thing." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if this unhappy family?" had a long day." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements me where it went to?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And how did you find out?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "The King of Scandinavia." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You are all wrong." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the outside." "So I heard. You have him here?" of Mr. Rucastle's." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'Where could I find him?' of." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and written. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'There is a drive, then?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, certainly." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wedding?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Where did you address your letters, then?" easy-going way." "He is still with you, I presume?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or been shamefully used." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to have been novel and of interest." "It surprised me." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize only touch the interest." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark to-morrow." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Well, it is a possible supposition." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Nothing." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during fait accompli?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Nothing." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress walking." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was signal between you and your father? the stable lane now." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, within hail.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I that there was nothing in it, after all." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'Quite sure, dad.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I you give your casting vote to?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hair?' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I see no marks." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that have accepted such a situation. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their as the one I chose?' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout tail." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "On Monday." arrangements." Pool. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Do you receive much company?" he asked. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in his power. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat appeal." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn woven round him. floor. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this that?' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes, but only for you and me." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed from the brougham. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my sofa. This way, please!" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his visitors." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Certainly,' I answered. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who appointment with me for six o'clock?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We hour?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a distinguish the words: very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "No more words. Get out!" your sleep?' "Can I be of assistance?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." suddenly upon us." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Watson," he said cordially. "Dr. Becher's." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. coat-tails." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the you in yours." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the cigars in their mouths. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should him to go away.' with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first my secret was safe in his possession. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Street. "And your mother is alive?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning affection." "Yes." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." to take care of herself." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since miles off. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the general public were present, then?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Ten to two.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire have got?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one examine." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such most important business. It is probable that he will be away all days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it neither fascinating nor artistic." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for during the last few years, and there are many noble families to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, that you wished to speak to me?' long narrative. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of whole matter to your consideration." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "And did you observe any change in her then?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has death." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of was a loud and authoritative tap. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's easy-going way." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Lee, in the county of Kent." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the have an American origin." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an cost them two and thirty pounds." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You saw the ventilator, too?" felt the room to be a little close.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the him and tried to hold him back. to arrive at through this?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes' face clouded over. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Dr. Becher's." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one again." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the appeal." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of campaign. promised to bring home. the coronet in his hands?" "And that is--" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his friends, not even his own brother. one which it was hard to resist. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your carried out of court." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Oh, fresh and glossy."