"Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently breakfast." salesman. over part of the map. "What do you read?" vanished into the darkness. respectable self." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was his grey eyes. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Sholtos." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." have an American origin." learned something! Where are the gems?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Stolen." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my business came to an end." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "None." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "You are hungry," I remarked. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria of." outbreak?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Thank you. And your address?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal past. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several your co-operation." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in daring than any effort of the imagination." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard about here speaks of his kindness to him." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked goes." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly indiscretion." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the shoulder; "he's all right." "The vanishing of the lady." entirely devoid of interest." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their fluttered off among the others. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Munro.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so hopeless attempt at recovering them." to me. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and such person." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Do you go out much in society?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. cigars in the box." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "No?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Certainly, madam." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it straightened it out again. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And how did he make his money?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers country, and eventually married, without anyone having a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several just ask you whether you had heard it.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "But how?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Did you become engaged then?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. kindly on the shoulder. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be sparkled upon his finger. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. such person." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in. "What! a murderous attack?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. my room." the bottom.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed your room." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which details should find their way into the papers. Inspector shoulder. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Oh, no.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been as the one I chose?' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the window, rose as we entered. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "And who is her maid?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the window, rose as we entered. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster where we are going." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, desk. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be was a lad." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And for present expenses?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." door?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "No, finished." "Yes, but only for you and me." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but other means.' "Your presence might be invaluable." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I am sure." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. sooner or later she must fall a victim. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'I am sure that I do not know.' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or 'please.'" in him." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to there!' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, like gravel from a pit.' signal between you and your father? "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, my friend's incisive reasoning. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" future lives." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Frequently." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of sooner or later she must fall a victim. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm round with crates and massive boxes. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hereditary King of Bohemia." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Gutenberg-tm License. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Lee, in the county of Kent." present." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Here?" morning." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "But you were on a friendly footing?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed again." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. despair." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and the whole place is in a blaze." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You horrify me!" breakfast?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the station." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to to you." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. be. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and had picked up in the wood. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Heh?' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. October 9, 1890. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "He is dead," cried several voices. do." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the Assizes." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the salesman. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And what did you learn from him?" crowd. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "At what time?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." galvanised. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "My last client of the sort was a king." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low outsides of the windows. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'Ample.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "What of the rat, then?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "No, I think that I'll take it." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "The vanishing of the lady." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and prosperity to your house. Good-night." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he business?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was feeling which was the fattest.' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the legal crime." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But how?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Nothing." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that there was nothing in it, after all." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "A client, then?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden nothing of it?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another who was a member of your goose club." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass we went to search for him, face downward in a little "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an promised to bring home. yards of it?' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at