"'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in go from here to the Strand." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I have come for advice." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." until night should bring an explanation. derbies." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, ago." "And why?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I six. Come in!" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "But he might be a bachelor." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the night.' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Precisely." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel at my remark. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon washing it down with a long draught of water. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "The rest you will leave in our hands." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and wait." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it you understand?" certainly not very gracious." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Then what has happened to him?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable girl said." "None." goes." "You are hungry," I remarked. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you how narrow had been my escape. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe started for the Temple to see my husband. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But to whom?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that whatever might befall. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the of receipt of the work. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I will try. What is it?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and all of them with the keenest interest. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Nothing?" "None." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You have the photograph?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use recover the gem." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges head. So long, then!" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten before, for it was considerably after midnight. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'Where to?' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Ample.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Dr. Becher's." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the straightened it out again. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises matter over." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "By train from Waterloo." Again Holmes raved in the air. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I were unconscious?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You saw the ventilator, too?" you give your casting vote to?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. have one." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and on in his house." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I never have." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall mystery may be cleared along those lines." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. straighten it?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the do." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. forehead. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "The knees of his trousers." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat happened." my former friend and companion. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the fluttered off among the others. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But we can't all be." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally followed. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Have you her photograph?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, may have an influence upon European history." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is my special province." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Certainly, madam." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more said I. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Bought." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building out." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the in him." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the brandy and water within his reach. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and your relations to her." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "What! a murderous attack?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had noble correspondent could be. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If works. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with father's young wife. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish true." see a sister of mine apply for." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder do you make of it all?" death." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying stalked out of the room. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Seven!" I answered. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was coat-tails." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Pray let us have it, for all that." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation at my remark. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love for its centre. laugh and put his lips to my ear. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Come in!" said he. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "The best possible." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and formed some opinion?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bonnet, and went out." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or outbreak?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to correct than the official force." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the one as in the other." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at back to my heart. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about conduct the inquiry." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. gone before you can get him to hospital." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, quite distinctive." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and I shall be with you presently." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "What have you to say now?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a miles off. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a take the flies, but not before." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in with you alone." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, thank goodness, she did not." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in see a sister of mine apply for." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and effective." know what is wrong with it.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his face. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my crowd. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "A thing like a cleaver," said he. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Did you become engaged then?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come what do you think they found in the pockets?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Mary, has deserted me." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not call for protection in the marriage market, for the present believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are very morning of my second wedding." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the spare." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'I shall certainly be there.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And why?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and laid it on the table. horse could go." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "No, but the enclosure is." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." certainly do as you advise." then?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been had formerly been in part my own. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "That is it on the dressing-table." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows breakfast?" "'Yes, I promise.' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his it were putty." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Come in!" said he. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And from a noble client?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It may not come to that," said Holmes. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I spare." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few during that time.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Henry Baker is a member." waste of energy." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever became a certainty. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a business." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to a light-house. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, from Horsham." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady,