"I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive fact, we may call it conclusive." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And how did you verify them?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a fattened it expressly for you.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Sutherland?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the tightly behind him. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith money should be paid at once.' fat-encircled eyes. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "That is possible." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "What have you to say now?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What! You do not mean bodies?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "That is it on the dressing-table." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the Friday. Was it to be in church?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of them has the shutters up.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and grasp, he hurried from the room. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of any more." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very for the market.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That words came to my lips. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead not, dad?" she asked. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It is a murder, then?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled DAMAGE. had died away into the silence from which it rose. carriage. It was a chestnut." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some there when the Rucastles went away." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the an introduction to him?" that he will be back before evening." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his became a certainty. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Certainly." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad carpenter." His smile broadened. fait accompli?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Then what has happened to him?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their light and attacked it." "Then he might have called to you?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of too. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll narrative." know that the truth is known." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" to-night's adventure." obstinate." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to society." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. persecution?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his indiscretion." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "In what way?" asked Holmes. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I think it very unlikely." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a even so self-evident a thing as that." the loss of it. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the bed, and you in that chair." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his money should be paid at once.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform absolutely follow my advice in every respect." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in the dead of the night?' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "What then?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in would then never go into court at all." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of opportunities to fix the problem. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third his eyes and forehead. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the other means.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Nothing." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is look dissatisfied." "What will you do, then?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." retorted upon me, and I on you." "I cannot say that I have." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "But she could not love him." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Most admirably.' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which row." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Which dealer's?' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Very murderous indeed." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "That is not always so easy." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Countess of Morcar's?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." discontent upon his features. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But your client--" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. all that?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I this remarkable episode. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged was a loud and authoritative tap. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a off." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she go back?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yes, that is the Crown." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Murdered?" reach." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so memory. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'Certainly,' I answered. "Well, it is a possible supposition." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in quickly through a disagreeable task. "In the cells." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. questioning and rather startled gaze. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Then I do not see the point." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Yes. He waved his hands." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get said he, "my real name is James Ryder." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Is purely nominal.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady straightened it out again. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Quite sure, dad.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture whether it answered to the description of any of their "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. his huge brown hands. shall use the carriage to-night." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt again." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And now?" I asked. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat dear old homesteads?" chill to my heart. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before washing it down with a long draught of water. chill to my heart. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of washing it down with a long draught of water. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel interested in these little problems, and since you are good should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Where is it, then?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and walking." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Then how many are there?" to surprise her." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I will not look." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I should wish to." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be breakfast and whispered something to her husband. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "She told me to ask you." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a golden eyeglasses. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the driver. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a had this final quarrel? to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one's self under obligations.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'Yes, sir.' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to bill, which interests me deeply." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into without a word or a look. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we taking in every detail of the apartment. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a where we are going." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I posted to-day." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a nights." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there thin legs towards the fire. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and that he would see to anything that turned up. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more cup of tea. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I nodded again. fasten all the windows?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Eyford at 11:15.' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again stammered. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been such attractions and accomplishments?' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. throat." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. tied." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if photograph?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I have come for advice." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Dr. Becher's." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and laid it on the table. "To ruin me." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, you, my dear young lady?' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to you." I held the little printed slip to the light. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was a loud and authoritative tap. held up the lantern and gazed about him. and have this put in the evening papers." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the