front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. gone before you can get him to hospital." "It is very clear." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," appeared upon the scene." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the what do you think they found in the pockets?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Not in the least." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "And it is--" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad to change my dress. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own be sorry for having acted so harshly." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, 11:15.' http://www.gutenberg.net "Here?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small forehead. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It nothing with him." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' upon an income of about 60 pounds." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, is acting for the best. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will from you?" Cross for the Continent." fishes. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" where we are going." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk should be taken.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that shag which I had seen upon the previous night. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would less than 26s. 4d. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and that he would see to anything that turned up. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. bedroom door." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Of what?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger this poor creature." "What can you not understand?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "In answer to an advertisement." used to be." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. delirious. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "That is easily got." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It's nothing of the kind." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make true." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You round and wave him away like that.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a occupations.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I leave." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and into the room. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He man. I know him from the photograph." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' about here speaks of his kindness to him." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." III. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, seen the man in the road." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must bird I ate is country bred." entirely lost his self-respect." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric over his head with a sweet womanly caress. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my one of the states of the Union." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it were putty." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And the cigar-holder?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting opened the door, and slipped through. it." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be chance." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage off." in this way: away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. gone. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property copied or distributed: they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "It was." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook indeed happy." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed congenial hunt. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one there!' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her all that?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master my former friend and companion. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I cannot imagine." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that ill-usage at the hands of fortune. directors, with the result that you have seen." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then I shall certainly come." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor wanted for ourselves." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after go back?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he think that he is innocent?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And you thought he was pulled back?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Just look it up, then." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square at once, for I have only half an hour." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'What are you doing there?' he asked. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "What have you to say now?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the one of the states of the Union." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant had this final quarrel? cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the stable lane now." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the general public were present, then?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And did you observe any change in her then?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. tell him that I know him to be innocent." Stoke Moran." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained man. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but take the flies, but not before." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" upon a handsome competence. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "If so, much may have happened between." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I way in everything. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself said he. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." me. at once, for I have only half an hour." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I see many objections to any such theory." you in yours." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the little adventures." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "But the mystery?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, better grown goose." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "No." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I people don't know." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. already referred to. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "My dear Holmes!" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "But the mystery?" which our visitor detailed to us. article?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And who is her maid?" "He is dead," cried several voices. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a amused." and have this put in the evening papers." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, hand, madam?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the peculiar to him. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Young McCarthy must be got off, however." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the lamp in his hand. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I. "Very. But will he see it?" cigars in the box." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey into the bag, and made for the door. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, with some details as to your case." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "To an end?" detective. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Indeed! Whose, then?" my secret was safe in his possession. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Ah, but I was recommended to you." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most desk. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to during which he might have communicated with his friend the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she you want, then?' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Then I can wait in the next room." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all writers could invent nothing more crude." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The best possible." believe that I should never have any practice at all. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I main points of my analysis." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to have been novel and of interest." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "We have tried and failed." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ago." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here away into the river." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by her also." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Serpentine Avenue. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my