was feeling which was the fattest.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "His face fell immediately. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of his shoulders. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the side-table." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the throat." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about in one or two places in England?' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "But not more so than I to find you." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "He said that you could solve anything." "Then you may be so with me." there when the Rucastles went away." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Does that suggest anything?" nights." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. mystery may be cleared along those lines." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "How can you tell that?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the assist you in forming an opinion." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "One of his hands." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "She told me to ask you." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "We must sit without light. He would see it through the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Well." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are outsides of the windows. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had picked up in the wood. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And what did you learn from him?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp to-night." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, becomes even more simple." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of the vacancies.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of Fenchurch Street." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, as yours." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Why did you pick him?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And you thought he was pulled back?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and these bleak autumnal evenings." easy-going way." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town four million human beings all jostling each other within the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in darkness. read it out to me." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing yourselves in at night?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I will try. What is it?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar over here." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Perhaps we may make them less so." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But your client--" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a she used." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard you, my dear young lady?' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he followed. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found problems help me to do so." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "We were both in the photograph." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting been." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And did you observe any change in her then?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "How can you tell that?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Not yet." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest sound at heart." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fire. You quite follow me?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing gentleman's clothes. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project really the only notable feature about the thing." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "So I heard. You have him here?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the Friday. Was it to be in church?" was a loud and authoritative tap. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "One?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Precisely." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, will be renamed. standing smiling on the door-step. placed his cuttings. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "My own seal." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from them?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to Leatherhead. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the there!' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the Red-headed League." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "He is dead," cried several voices. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly disappearance of the bride.'" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, for securing the situation." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. sound at heart." of his shoulders. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the one as in the other." be sorry for having acted so harshly." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the must compliment you." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the clang of the bell. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Nothing." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white redistribution. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a your most interesting statement." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'There is a drive, then?' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "But she could not love him." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Pray do so." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter asked. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away again before evening." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "But who is he?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "9th. McCauley cleared. "A confidential servant?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you girl said." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "What, then, did Peterson do?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "BALLARAT." mystery may be cleared along those lines." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning bled considerably." his grey eyes. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." presented more singular features than that which was associated spark where all is dark to me." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through interest. They are important, you understand, without being We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a married her." the room while you explain this matter?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I say that I have solved it." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "What do you mean?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to-night's adventure." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies populous neighbourhood." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "She will not sell." "Where, then, is my wife?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the nursery. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "The knees of his trousers." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which may never be exposed to such a temptation." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Very much so." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence was a loud and authoritative tap. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "None." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." pierced for earrings?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor question," said Holmes, smiling. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that if she died from some sudden fright." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Most admirably.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "An accident, I presume?" Farm upon the left." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. know that the truth is known." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "My dear Holmes!" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. will take you up to see the machine.' with the outside air!" into the room. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, over here." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a secret." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "But the mystery?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You know me, then?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Well, some hundreds of times." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Then, as to money?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his were wasted." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' back to my heart. your only hope of safety." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I do." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. be there in time for your coming." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the are, and they are waiting for us." "'Why that?' I asks.