"Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "But the mystery?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, it was twisted." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' affair. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in this note: "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Why, what do you mean?" the matter?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. locked. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." important." some city in a dream. point in the dark hollow of his hand. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Not particularly." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black existence." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door was a perfect sample of the class. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. lamp. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin annoyance, but no jest. "Thank you. And your address?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "By no means." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the south-west, I see." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at here." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then he died? had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It came here." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if your most interesting statement." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed absorbing." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good lumber-room." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And sit in the dark?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes, only one." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try which our visitor detailed to us. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the own family. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to drove away. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' of." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a could not have written that. It is the German who is so investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Then, as to money?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and success. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which over part of the map. "What do you read?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "My dear Holmes!" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the ceiling. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known better in every way that they should make their position a little said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low breakfast." approach us with offers to donate. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room leave you to your papers for a little." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning emerged. "I fear not." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I o'clock is it?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Serpentine Avenue. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some of the way of danger. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly during that time.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 throat." "And you don't know his address?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a congratulate you again." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much 'please.'" "It came here." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn orange pips. you, my dear young lady?' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to You want to know what became of those geese?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence roused himself from his reverie. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Where did you address your letters, then?" hurried by. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Can I be of assistance?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wedding?" "It is possible." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' secret." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and capable of preserving a secret.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "My stepfather's business papers." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I should be immensely obliged to you." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man behind me. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." This is what he says: gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for room had already been engaged for us. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" already referred to. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "What can it mean?" I gasped. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you your sleep?' "And sit in the dark?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if London for the present?" bearing upon the case." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly prison!" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to note?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven fattened it expressly for you.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do highroad, where all traces were lost. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Absolutely none." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Did you observe the colour?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in comes from the middle window." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst throat." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I beg pardon." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of the one which your family is now devouring." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "At half-wages, in fact." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of DISSOLVED. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the station." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a manager. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' recover the gem." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that you." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be assist you in forming an opinion." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a wedding?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it right.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "What, then?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Project Gutenberg-tm works. read it out to me." "It came here." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The III. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Certainly,' I answered. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "That also I could fathom." most interesting one." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "And the murderer?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain respectable self." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet upon a handsome competence. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then I am your man." to talk it over. "It came here." not as remarkable as your advertisement." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be You want to know what became of those geese?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would trying to your nerves." "Yes, but only for you and me." furiously. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love went to the Alpha were town bred." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the Assizes." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then when your master had gone out." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, ready to-morrow?' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the goes." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of dramatic, in fact." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very hard-headed British jury." "'Yes, I promise.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of fire. You quite follow me?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' asked. mysterious business." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yes, sir." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "What can it mean?" I gasped. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and row." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his his cane at the bell-pull. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Where, then?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and no precautions can guard against." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the of Fenchurch Street." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in not personally threatened." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "You did not overhear what they said?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is redistribution. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. national property. I was determined that the law should have its three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view one else, I think." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Well, some hundreds of times." "'What then?' I asked. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Will you bet, then?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this singular points about the case. What did the police think of the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "That is possible." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' must compliment you." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose had died away into the silence from which it rose. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three foot. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "It was an hour's good drive." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A