It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had I nodded to show that I had heard. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "What then?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the station." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "By all means." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I see many objections to any such theory." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who there was no need for father to know." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few room?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the fait accompli?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which wife's character?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to a light-house. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not if I call to-morrow?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches wedding?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Could he throw no light?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church nonsense.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was light and attacked it." been shamefully used." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke crime." indeed happy." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I cannot imagine." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." but preventing her from injuring another. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found The police have openly confessed that they can at present make even of instruction." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the little trying to do so much typewriting?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "And it is--" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Murdered?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You have the photograph?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Heh?' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. back into the street. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had national property. I was determined that the law should have its They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me tension within him. know all about it," he snarled. "Pray let us have it, for all that." them?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and inquire as to the address." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The cigars in their mouths. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our past. "Yes." "Very. But will he see it?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but as noiselessly as she had come. fattened it expressly for you.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I was lame." here and I will read it to you: "It is his hat." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of must be when I saw the door open.' just called myself is not exactly my own." "Certainly, madam." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a examine." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Who was the criminal, then?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'And the work?' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been society." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for said he. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I have come for advice." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. maiden herself was most instructive." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Was she in good spirits?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "And why?" enough to aid us in our search." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend unclasping of his long thin hands. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I answered that I had not. fattened it expressly for you.' redistribution. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the chamber." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave points in connection with it which never have been, and probably afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. lost his Christmas dinner." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in weapon." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across your most interesting statement." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him trying to your nerves." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "How are you getting on?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and yourselves in at night?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom someone who had been in Australia." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and the whole place is in a blaze." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "But how?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, foresight and the moral retrogression?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be good for you to do.' nonsense.' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands your own bird, so if you wish--" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "The best possible." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford examination of the premises, but without finding anything which in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" whatever might befall. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Stolen, then." closely." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning photograph?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I know where it is." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in might help us?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most row." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or his cane at the bell-pull. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their points to suicide?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an front of me. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes License. You must require such a user to return or table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very notes," he said. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "That was it, sir." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a open." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "About a month then." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What have you to say now?" overpowering excitement and concern. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most head. So long, then!" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a way in." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the invisible to me," I remarked. "How did he come?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to up this clue while it is still hot." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "So I heard. You have him here?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The Coroner: What do you mean? http://www.gutenberg.net cigar and let me expound." retorted upon me, and I on you." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Tired-looking or fresh?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was keenly on my guard against him. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed pity, because in other respects you would really have done very gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "What office?" "He said too much." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties carpenter." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, tension within him. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to very old mansion. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out something of him before." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring written. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "But I have heard all that you have heard." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the general public were present, then?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "But it has twice been burgled." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Your sister is dead, then?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of brain must have something in it." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Yes, he did." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since of receipt of the work. was feeling which was the fattest.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which it had come upon my father." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And why in hopes?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway any." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This indeed which he could not unravel. invisible to me," I remarked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really over part of the map. "What do you read?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one death." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work what these perils are?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back