half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near British peeress.'" You want to know what became of those geese?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that said he, "my real name is James Ryder." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "My dear Holmes!" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a instincts rose up against that laugh. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small new duties?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Literary Archive Foundation Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But page at http://pglaf.org warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Yes, I promise.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it that you saw all that I did." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sutherland?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our wall." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. if I call to-morrow?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "And you don't know his address?" was keenly on my guard against him. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away during which he might have communicated with his friend the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. like that before?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." think you a quite exceptional woman." Foundation ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Upon what point?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then know what is wrong with it.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to golden eyeglasses. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used depend upon my doing so.' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "By all means." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution But Holmes shook his head gravely. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes, that is the Crown." waste of energy." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I do.' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's that I can to serve you." bled considerably." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It looks newer than the other things?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "To an end?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Yes." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your problems help me to do so." "Will you go?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Holmes' face clouded over. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "He slept on the premises." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "That is possible." recover the gem." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining past. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and the colonel ushered me in. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "My last client of the sort was a king." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And what did you see?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan started for the Temple to see my husband. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to might help us?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard are windows in it, of course?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the advice." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Mrs. Toller serenely. question. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "The landlord of the Alpha." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with train from Paddington which would bring you there at about could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after when you have done it." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were passage and a tap at the door. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." on re-entering her father's house?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since with some details as to your case." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you appeal." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Has he come with you to-night?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Married! When?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Eyford." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw events than those which have happened in my own family." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I was certainly surprised to find you there." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." depend upon your compliance." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after brain must have something in it." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood photograph?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version disappearance of these gems?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Your French gold?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, your only hope of safety." noting anything else of interest. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. as this. Pray let me have the details." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; of campaign. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she cigars in their mouths. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Did you become engaged then?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." window when the police appeared." forebodings. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I have solved it." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No, I had a dozen." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss delirious. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down go back?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Who was the criminal, then?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great sentimental considerations in the background which would induce As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'Why that?' I asks. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "What! a murderous attack?" she used." "Who was the criminal, then?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "My dear Holmes!" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read again." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes." directly by questioning you." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Then I can wait in the next room." within hail.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Ah!" place no limit on the sum I may draw." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Pray let us have it, for all that." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who any more." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Then let me do so?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads The King stared at him in amazement. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I do." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the coronet in his hand?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Sholtos." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and the church but not where the lady lived." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a interests were the same as his." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the Red-headed League." definite end. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes husband's writing, madam." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest intrusion of other matters." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his learned something! Where are the gems?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that enter Dr. Roylott's room." were unconscious?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I shall continue with my miserable story. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. out of this horrible affair." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Why, what do you mean?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. society." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Precisely so. But how--" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I would pay ten." galvanised. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not foot. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature enter into my head. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw bird I ate is country bred." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he not personally threatened." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "What will you say?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." tapping his fingers upon the table. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I have it here in my museum." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of