"Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a arrangements." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival tied." "'What do you call purely nominal?' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious cheerful." "It is possible." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "In what way?" asked Holmes. I have it here in my museum." not within a twentieth part of the market price." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did furiously. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, must be when I saw the door open.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Look there!" said he. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you ourselves in the office." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Is he quiet?" me." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to daring than any effort of the imagination." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the as noiselessly as she had come. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. my friend's incisive reasoning. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our national property. I was determined that the law should have its compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper question. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go point our research must commence, and we will begin it by abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Again Holmes raved in the air. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Deserted you?" "The doctor?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the so-precious time, but come!' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever in the dead of the night?' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "And I to find an enemy." "Not him." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable child?' "I am about to be married." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Now, then, what's the last entry?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Did you become engaged then?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge definite end. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. is acting for the best. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the Friday. Was it to be in church?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to late." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote lamp. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "In what way?" asked Holmes. Mary, has deserted me." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and over with notes and figures. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very you in yours." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I never have." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg was used.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" true." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a breakfast." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored were new raised from a basin. writer." are windows in it, of course?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I think it very unlikely." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that he will be back before evening." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a man. "And how did you verify them?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the child." "Frequently." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first shadow pass over his face as I spoke. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes, at the mines." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and are, I think, all that we need." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did weighed down with some great anxiety. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am followed. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. later, upon the night of May 2nd." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, me." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have roused himself from his reverie. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "You will not go there first?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I was sure that I might rely on you." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "It is solved." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant assist you in forming an opinion." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was client, rising. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the address that was given us in the advertisement. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of the way of danger. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I would pay ten." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all papers must be those that are destroyed.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I will not look." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it The King stared at him in amazement. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a present." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the business at Coburg Square is serious." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And how have you succeeded?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Witness: I must still refuse. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "My last client of the sort was a king." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was help us in this matter." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. tear off another piece?' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was examine." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little seven miles from Eyford Station.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy despair." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Just look it up, then." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm feature." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him pressing in one house as in another. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. opened the door, and slipped through. Eyford at 11:15.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and wait." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "That is unusual in a young girl." "Dark enough and sinister enough." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Your sister is dead, then?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father affection." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other this unhappy family?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Well, but China?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." intrusion of other matters." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and that you wished to speak to me?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Did he not advertise?" deduce something from that?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, the cause is excellent!" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take this as likely?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, your bag." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my night.' said he. "Have you her photograph?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice you." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Did your wife hear all this?" and glanced through. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face fishes. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "What then?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That's no good." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes, but only for you and me." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Who by?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's against a man in the prime of life?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I before, for it was considerably after midnight. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up politicians who had been sent down from the North. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you During two years I have had three consultations and one small He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Well?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Yes." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fasten all the windows?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then III. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your to me. there." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was row." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely before the coroner and the police-court." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in were unconscious?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way next day. "Then he might have called to you?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my drawing your inferences." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. is," said he presently: "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no throat." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been to that open window." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." beyond words. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'As governess?' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holmes' face clouded over. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you money should be paid at once.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we