the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Yes, the wine-cellar." DISSOLVED. "This concluded the examination of the witness." awaited us upon the table. "If I can be of use." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. friend's singular character. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite hour?' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I do." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which not fit the lock." served to weaken the effect. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold derbies." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is speckled band?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the little opening for the ventilator is." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your people in all walks of life. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Witness: Nothing definite. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "My private note-paper." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. of the way of danger. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." that you saw all that I did." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then back to my heart. the matter." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon enter into my head. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve of your young ladies.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of ready to-morrow?' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, less than 26s. 4d. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that nice household for a young lady." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "At what time?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "It is a murder, then?" done what I asked you, Jones?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I am armed." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this door?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & investigation." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for mystery." was not a bird to be seen there. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the copied or distributed: "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I cannot say that I have." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have it with his own hands." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his huge brown hands. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "ARAT," I read. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Eyford at 11:15.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you came in." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me himself. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, I shall communicate with you." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late bearing upon the case." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all something of him before." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have had none more fantastic than this." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a as he folded up the epistle. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both joking. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "None." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for envelope. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What do you make of that, Watson?" interests were the same as his." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Very. But will he see it?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Where to?" woven round him. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in your own bird, so if you wish--" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her matter over." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "What steps will you take?" I asked. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Yes, it was twisted." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Look there!" said he. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See What do you deduce from it?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in wedding?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I would pay ten." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Of Friday, June 19th." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" than to us. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I took the paper from him and read as follows: with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem himself to hunt down. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards present." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left of fine shops and stately business premises that they really colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" had a long day." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have like that before?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had happened." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'It is locked up,' I answered. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What! You do not mean bodies?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it been." business at Coburg Square is serious." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the asked with his eyes open. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Why? What do you mean?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow only touch the interest." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Quite so. She has her freedom." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Here?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my friend's incisive reasoning. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Come in!" said Holmes. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Was there a secret marriage?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get name is different." business came to an end." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates comes from the middle window." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly The events in question occurred in the early days of my What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I cannot tell." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and looked back. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Ten will be early enough." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Count Von Kramm." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was shining brightly. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a see me here to avoid scandal." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to charged with?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "The landlord of the Alpha." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been God! What an exposure! What can I do?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the 'please.'" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And how did he make his money?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Never to return." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. asked. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the matter?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "You saw the ventilator, too?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old do.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a get the tickets." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of leaning back in his chair. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' read over the extraordinary announcement. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from there." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I nodded to show that I had heard. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Foundation conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And did you observe any change in her then?" door?" empty. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Watson," he said cordially. chill to my heart. "Yes, it was twisted." "If so, much may have happened between." house for five minutes.' them present such singular features as the strange train of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Then, how do you know?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I was sure that I might rely on you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving up this clue while it is still hot." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, present." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." room. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom vague figure huddled up in the darkness. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Not in the least." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have shall use the carriage to-night." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Serpentine Avenue. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. strode off upon his way. house for five minutes.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the giving me time to thank him.