been lifted and conveyed somewhere." status with the IRS. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black appointment with me for six o'clock?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my wall." "Yes, sir." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to such person." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'About the same.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a bears upon the case?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of in this note: precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not him to go away.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag to miss it." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I details." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. derbies." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but just called myself is not exactly my own." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Holmes, the busybody!" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side there is a decided draught." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Oh, the cause is excellent!" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows jewels which you have stolen?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "She showed me, as I told you she would." to you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned said Mr. Holder. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I should be immensely obliged to you." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser enough to aid us in our search." "I have seen the police." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock that threaten you." your billet.' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. from the brougham. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Bought." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you unprofitable." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap which it had come upon my father." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Entirely." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice details." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Very. But will he see it?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who to a light-house. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "The best possible." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a breakfast." not personally threatened." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Yes, sir." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that I may have something better before very many minutes are scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this better grown goose." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. that he has suffered." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" like that before?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "You have carte blanche." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes meant it for the best. happened." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Holmes' thin, eager face. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Quite so." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never directors, with the result that you have seen." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a imbecility!" he cried. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "The doctor?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his up this clue while it is still hot." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" it were putty." Surrey." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I cannot think." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "One of the highest in England." main points of my analysis." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Street. "Do you go out much in society?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to learned something! Where are the gems?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, photograph a cabinet?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Will you bet, then?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, skylight. cigars in their mouths. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate to tackle the facts." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be his grey eyes. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project writer." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I saw her in conversation with her maid." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely how narrow had been my escape. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'In my own bureau.' unkempt, staring out at me. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change residence of the great financier. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My last client of the sort was a king." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted followed. "And it is--" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "That is easily got." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Have you her photograph?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing most interesting one." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found where she found matters as described by the last witness. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael excitement. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and inquire as to the address." open." "You are all wrong." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Yes, he did." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly papers must be those that are destroyed.' told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Foundation "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It weapon." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Was the window open?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from right! Sit down and let us talk it over." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are During two years I have had three consultations and one small Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a chill to my heart. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which key turn in the lock." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An to surprise her." nothing of it?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of noting anything else of interest. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come wife's character?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "She told me to ask you." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. shoulder. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Nothing?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of outsides of the windows. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told this Miss Turner." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes skylight. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the stones. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "But the mystery?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "At half-wages, in fact." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get developed." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of footfalls from the street. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, past. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in could gather together that I was able to avert another public pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and deduce something from that?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I am to be neutral?" careless servant girl?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose whereabouts. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring bled considerably." the Assizes." row." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Holmes' room. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent looking up at the numbers of the houses." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of off." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do answered with a sidelong glance. these bleak autumnal evenings." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And now?" I asked. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in secret." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor said he at last. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." call the police, let the police find what they can.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Yes, sir.' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I cannot tell." voice, changing her seat as requested. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been