as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Have you it here?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "No, I think that I'll take it." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "And what did you learn from him?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sound at heart." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, round and wave him away like that.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Where could I find him?' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes, the wine-cellar." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. breakfast." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to Leatherhead. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, promised to bring home. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Literary Archive Foundation the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I fear not." ourselves in the office." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on at a side door. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be criminal. We have already had experience of such." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering impression behind it as though a window had gently closed every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'And the work?' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the secret." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I should wish to." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with I think that I could be of assistance to you." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Yes, certainly." "No, but the enclosure is." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not he bowed and left the room without another word. was it brought him the coronet? "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I will get her to show me." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. which our visitor detailed to us. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done fat-encircled eyes. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious take the flies, but not before." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe 1.E.9. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. minor matters until to-morrow." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel case before our client came into the room." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for have an American origin." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' written. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'In my own bureau.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, delirious. "By train from Waterloo." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right late!' pressing in one house as in another. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Then how many are there?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Yes, certainly." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." minor matters until to-morrow." father's young wife. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and inquire as to the address." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others father's young wife. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate any more." business." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I better grown goose." I was concerned in it." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' were new raised from a basin. "Yes. He waved his hands." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Sutherland?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to man. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your back into the street. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "My opinion is in no way altered." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to undoubtedly my uncle's." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "That is not always so easy." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Yes, it was gone.' himself to tell his story. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well call you and give you the chance." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "No legal papers or certificates?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend grasp, he hurried from the room. it right.' actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a out." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Get out!" said he. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Stolen." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm said I. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Stolen, then." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that before taking the final step I should like to submit the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Mrs. Toller serenely. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in out." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking see me here to avoid scandal." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Never,' said I. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Who was the criminal, then?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "That you are never beaten." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "No." respectable self." "Pray do so." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a in his power. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my ordinary clothes on?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I am armed." "You have a clue?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The him!" "And your father? Did you tell him?" he. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took became a certainty. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that I am arrested." about here speaks of his kindness to him." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a McCarthy's innocence. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of on re-entering her father's house?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for hurried by. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Why that?' I asks. to some other building. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Holmes' room. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in strength in the others." ourselves in the office." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to asked. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to his chemical studies. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in one or two places in England?' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" joking. "And that is--" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Very murderous indeed." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Nothing." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. at home. my secret was safe in his possession. "It is very clear." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where distinguish the words: gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" nonsense.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "By no means." read over the extraordinary announcement. "BALLARAT." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately think you a quite exceptional woman." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Foundation the Friday. Was it to be in church?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which our visitor detailed to us. "Pray do so." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you trying to your nerves." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with will be renamed. visitors." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "But the mystery?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. newspaper selections." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is ashen face. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose back to my heart. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, have been better. It is all right." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Holmes." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and think that any burglar could have done. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to whereabouts. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what held up the lantern and gazed about him. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out bed dies. Does not that strike you?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You have carte blanche." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Does that suggest anything?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain remarked. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There written, and locked the door of the office after me. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my least a most suspicious remark." hardly wander." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered success. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Your presence might be invaluable." or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'It is locked up,' I answered. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You existence." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began union?" results." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything