"I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "And sit in the dark?" "Ten will be early enough." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "My dear Holmes!" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to maid will bring up your coffee." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." your only hope of safety." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a it." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "The vanishing of the lady." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be you came in." nothing of it?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'As governess?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "But of what society?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a your Highness to the police-station?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what society." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Pool. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came papers on the sundial.'" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'What are you doing there?' he asked. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net meanly of me." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she forebodings. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The King stared at him in amazement. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at prison!" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Countess of Morcar's?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has just called myself is not exactly my own." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "What is it?" were wasted." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and October 9, 1890. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "What is it?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "My stepfather's business papers." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered foot. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he License. You must require such a user to return or rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of this as likely?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are locked. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with the outside air!" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Does that suggest anything?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Then you may entirely rely on me." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Certainly." to some other building. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as one's self under obligations.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "But it has twice been burgled." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Because he was handy and would come cheap." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. tear off another piece?' him." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Could he throw no light?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and have this put in the evening papers." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Clair, of Lee." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It was." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Never to return." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I new duties?' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without criminal. We have already had experience of such." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His I leave." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt chair. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then he might have called to you?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Thank you. Pray proceed." III. in him." II. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my geese which you supplied to the Alpha." detained." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Holmes. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Certainly." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' overpowering excitement and concern. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an copied or distributed: "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a manager. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I. it were putty." "Yes, only one." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "But you can know nothing of this?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "She will not sell." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And how did you find out?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. over here." your only hope of safety." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Very murderous indeed." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open read over the extraordinary announcement. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said quick march!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be as he folded up the epistle. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Where, then, is my wife?" will be renamed. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in my life." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. this remarkable episode. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I held the little printed slip to the light. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Yes, all." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At or other trace. But how on earth--" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Did you become engaged then?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It is solved." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One British peeress.'" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy delirious. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. appeal." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of asked. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that you can jump it.' you?' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her business came to an end." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I guessed as much." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property fled together." rooms." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with arrangements." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'Which dealer's?' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I am sure." address. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" said I. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round wedding?" chamber." said he. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the room while you explain this matter?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is threw himself down with his face to the pillow. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Then, as to money?" "To ruin me." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He hurried away. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford than to us. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Look there!" said he. house for five minutes.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "It is solved." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for it." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that relief. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I saw her in conversation with her maid." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered ago." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Will you go?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No good news?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the there." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "It surprised me." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "How often?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Where does the thing come from?' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the examine." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That had no one to advise her at such a crisis." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of fine shops and stately business premises that they really window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental coroner's jury." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I answered that I had not. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence acquaintance?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes, from Horsham." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in one or two places in England?' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all