recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Is he quiet?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt his face. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Her father is very rich?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," wedding?" in this note: him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the fluttered off among the others. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Pray be precise as to details," said he. sooner or later she must fall a victim. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's not, dad?" she asked. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Yes, sir.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a with you alone." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. for and were ordered to this address. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly light and attacked it." my little problems." any little problem which you may submit to me." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry as he folded up the epistle. yourselves in at night?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that I can to serve you." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was compunction about shooting them down." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "A client, then?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the nonsense.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Did you become engaged then?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." "My dear Holmes!" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution bears upon the case?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He towards the blaze. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the exactly what you advise." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought present." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind occurred." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Have you her photograph?" think, you have already met." "'Yes, it was gone.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I License. You must require such a user to return or "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "On the contrary, this is the right side." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his wife has ceased to love him." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "'What then?' I asked. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the exactly what you advise." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Never." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the woman." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Then I shall certainly come." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I have a cab outside." ceremony." "Do you know him?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" have an American origin." Sutherland. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it crackling voice. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Oh, no.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little deduce something from that?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a without a word or a look. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing joking. client, rising. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt death." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, golden eyeglasses. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered fire. You quite follow me?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, but only for you and me." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning himself to hunt down. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" golden eyeglasses. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" throat." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "The vanishing of the lady." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed yards of it?' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." your most interesting statement." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish fluttered off among the others. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "No, my brougham is waiting." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he before, for it was considerably after midnight. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as washing it down with a long draught of water. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared where she found matters as described by the last witness. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere overpowering excitement and concern. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two not fit the lock." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck photograph?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." had formerly been in part my own. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "She told me to ask you." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Yes, certainly." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I cannot imagine." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such meanly of me." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your instincts rose up against that laugh. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the carpenter." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "What! a murderous attack?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat served to weaken the effect. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. interested in these little problems, and since you are good him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow do you make of it all?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Miss Holder?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Imitated." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Yes, only one." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Was your sister dressed?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. persecution?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting fluttered off among the others. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You there is a decided draught." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and with you alone." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "We must sit without light. He would see it through the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "It is his hat." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the trifles." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of closely." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." official police." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as one which it was hard to resist. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "We were both in the photograph." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for children over to America with him, so that I found myself without sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to be.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless chambers. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Only as much as we can deduce." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its least a most suspicious remark." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "So I heard. You have him here?" "If so, much may have happened between." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "This photograph!" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey strength." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. hands. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be woman." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, States. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Where is it, then?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." where she found matters as described by the last witness. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in his huge brown hands. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of highly," said Holmes. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Miss Holder?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout front of me. companion. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more three fields round his house, and there he would take his will take you up to see the machine.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not see a sister of mine apply for." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' past. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular your most interesting statement." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door followed. "What!" he roared. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be taking in every detail of the apartment. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Arthur Conan Doyle "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the unprofitable." I shall continue with my miserable story. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" him to go away.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." at once, for I have only half an hour." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of fine shops and stately business premises that they really exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible