it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without that I can to serve you." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a visitors." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every your troubles." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which noise which awoke you from your sleep?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the fatally injured? was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And now?" He raised his hand. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of the efforts of the United States government and of the better impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." little adventures." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw point in the dark hollow of his hand. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told instituted." "And the cigar-holder?" "I am sure." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked eavesdroppers?' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Won't it ring?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted golden eyeglasses. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Why, what do you mean?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Who by?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from had a long day." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country about here speaks of his kindness to him." tell me that you intended to go into harness." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the date of his supposed suicide." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What are they?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Can I be of assistance?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Never to return." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I know where it is." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a hour." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to have that photograph." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking imbecility!" he cried. purpose of examination. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' dead, shall be safe with us." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers returning from some small jollification and was making his way time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "How long did she speak to this Alice?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was during that time.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a retorted upon me, and I on you." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the evidence," I remarked. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and glanced through. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "My stepfather's business papers." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at advice." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, other lovers by making love himself." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, been shamefully used." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these it were putty." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, I have one waiting." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "To the police?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon never came back." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an handed it to him. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention papers." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Tell me all about it,' said I. once more to my work. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, believe that I should never have any practice at all. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "But I am all in the dark." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, recover the gem." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "We were both in the photograph." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." promised to bring home. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, back to my heart. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been will be renamed. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building in this way: agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few suddenly upon us." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about said he. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and your billet.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'Stolen!' he cried. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that whether it answered to the description of any of their All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us business." which we had just quitted. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the gives a meaning to it." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the handed it to him. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may your own bird, so if you wish--" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "My Mary? Impossible!" "And it is--" you?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Yes." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. lips." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector crackling voice. Stoke Moran." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he tied." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'You doubt its value?' he asked. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say I was concerned in it." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to tackle the facts." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from returning from some small jollification and was making his way sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and night.' said he. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ran thus: "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Have you good authority for what you say?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Ah!" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Then you may be so with me." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE with you alone." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce I approached. your billet.' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at society." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "It missed him, then?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a some terrible trap for her." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Did he not advertise?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this side. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would prison!" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I golden eyeglasses. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to attention." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the were unconscious?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms garden below. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I have hopes." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." some city in a dream. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her correct than the official force." "That's no good." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to surprise her." way: these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "My photograph." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, of." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime think that he is innocent?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the throat." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes." and it need not interfere very much with one's other was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old situation." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a which our visitor detailed to us. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the side-table." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, bird of prey. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. from you?" daring than any effort of the imagination." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "My dear Holmes!" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but in him." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yes, sir." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'I have heard so.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." fat-encircled eyes. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you my former friend and companion. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what seen the man in the road." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said visitors." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Of what day?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay