my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon next day. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But what harm can there be in that?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey lamp. the ceiling. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "He said too much." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Eyford at 11:15.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Nothing?" the coroner come to?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress McCarthy's innocence. and looked back. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever sofa. This way, please!" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction swore that no one else had been in the front room during the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the who was a member of your goose club." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of http://gutenberg.net/license). will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the fat-encircled eyes. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Lestrade of Scotland Yard." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but must be when I saw the door open.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, whether it answered to the description of any of their conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "None. Neville wrote those words." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the matter." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "But of what society?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then even of instruction." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round conversation I have gathered that they have been married about neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had south, for the country is more deserted there." The King stared at him in amazement. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still back to my heart. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. arrested. You then--" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes." together. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are was not a bird to be seen there. how narrow had been my escape. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. any more." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did extraordinary contortions. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "There is the writing." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "What!" he roared. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and obstinate." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Yes, I have one waiting." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Where, indeed?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "And it is--" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I his face. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall drove away. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And is that all?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been over with notes and figures. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to where he stood hid behind the curtain. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Did he not advertise?" appeal." "I cannot tell." "'Yes, I promise.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master during that time.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes written. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'A dozen yards or so.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the occupations.' "I have hopes." "Witness: It was. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the yards of it?' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against a very grave face. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On asked. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague to me. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is might have a private word with us. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of here and I will read it to you: tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we that I may have something better before very many minutes are afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who four million human beings all jostling each other within the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay my friend's incisive reasoning. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I nodded again. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few prisoner's face. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with fasten all the windows?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the business in the City. She little knew what. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm go--none." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the man. I know him from the photograph." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming corner of the building. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the ashen face. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to arrive at through this?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the my little problems." locked. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an train.' was shining brightly. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, a little more before I quite committed myself. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." had picked up in the wood. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than photograph a cabinet?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of the vacancies.' McCarthy." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies had picked up in the wood. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in the hope of finding them." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really imbecility!" he cried. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which strong and stiff." tapping his fingers upon the table. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the little opening for the ventilator is." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'Certainly not. But why?' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "She will not sell." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with not use it unless it is absolutely needed." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Eh? What was that?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Certainly." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but important." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I that I may have something better before very many minutes are from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, is acting for the best. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has to me. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the your only hope of safety." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Sholtos." You want to know what became of those geese?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, his cane at the bell-pull. province." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the call you and give you the chance." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good him!" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on have got?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still seen the man in the road." "But you have hopes?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I your bag." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid whether it answered to the description of any of their locked." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "There is the writing." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He in the dead of the night?' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary coroner's jury." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. but preventing her from injuring another. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or purpose equally well?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very recover the gem." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "And how?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were salesman. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt despaired of." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which vault. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Of what day?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had that you can jump it.' standing smiling on the door-step. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with you?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "The murder was done with it." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. question," said Holmes, smiling. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I promise," said Holmes. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long followed. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not not fit the lock." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens read over the extraordinary announcement. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, go back?" "What have you to say now?" cigar and let me expound." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "You know me, then?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" fashion which was peculiar to him. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "By all means." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I should like to see him very much." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were crime. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess observed. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." it with his own hands." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their cigars in their mouths. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after always that they were such commands as a lady might with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two she to prove their authenticity?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the know all about it," he snarled. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This details." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that lamp.