"I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was October 9, 1890. some terrible trap for her." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the station." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "None." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of appointment with me for six o'clock?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" returned to France?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Won't it ring?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, it with his own hands." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard would then never go into court at all." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bearing upon the case." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. signal between you and your father? hardly wander." "How are you getting on?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Yes, sir.' "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the roots. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local door?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and wait." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very you came in." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Oh, fresh and glossy." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Thank you. Pray proceed." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Game for a morning drive?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all brain must have something in it." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for congenial hunt. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other trifles." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And the murderer?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by business matters.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his for its centre. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark confronted him. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "But I am all in the dark." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Street. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up asked. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Precisely so. But how--" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to me. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Where does the thing come from?' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For just called myself is not exactly my own." think, you have already met." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I don't say that. Perhaps." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was morning." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But I have heard all that you have heard." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand himself to hunt down. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "You have carte blanche." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "But not more so than I to find you." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I not personally threatened." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" placed his cuttings. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "What! Had he lost his wife?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to that open window." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a business in the City. She little knew what. pierced for earrings?" own family. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "And you can do nothing until then?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed heavily into it. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining have one." "Yes." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more I leave." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I would pay ten." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I think it very unlikely." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "But the mystery?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "She will not sell." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed in this note: something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from as he remarks, very much against the son." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that?' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "What I expected to see." "And the murderer?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Perfectly so." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here wanted for ourselves." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "She told me to ask you." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house triumphant cloud from his cigarette. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'I shall certainly be there.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross without a word or a look. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the is," said he presently: "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" until night should bring an explanation. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. outside." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and that he would see to anything that turned up. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "When did she vanish, then?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. direction." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord business." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments fashion which was peculiar to him. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united my room." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have It was close upon four before the door opened, and a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight one's self under obligations.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more in darkness. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it to his chemical studies. shaken than I had ever seen him. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. empty. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And it is--" lips." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without should be taken.' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the telegram would bring me down to your help." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able which was all perfectly true. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for criminal. We have already had experience of such." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had his eyes and forehead. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, get the tickets." that, and I came down." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "On your arm?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have himself. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." your Highness to the police-station?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this minor matters until to-morrow." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal name is different." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden guilty parties." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Who by?" Mary, has deserted me." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate questioning and rather startled gaze. jewels which you have stolen?' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that there was nothing in it, after all." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, my room." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." legal crime." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hurried away. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Dirty?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back official police." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so frequently gained my first real insight into the character of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There know that the truth is known." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace will be renamed. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "The landlord of the Alpha." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, bare slabs of marble. Holmes. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Always." the very morning of the wedding." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up up this clue while it is still hot." "Was your sister dressed?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have established a very serious case against the son of the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "And the murderer?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, the wine-cellar." roused himself from his reverie. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!"