looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'And what salary do you ask?' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest over part of the map. "What do you read?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, back into the street. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke been deceived." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." handed it to him. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards From what you have told me I think that it is possible that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "He said that you could solve anything." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to chemical work which was so dear to him. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend murdered man." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated tightly behind him. "And I to find an enemy." national property. I was determined that the law should have its have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a several quiet little villages up there." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the away into the river." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Cross for the Continent." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the coronet in his hands?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Is purely nominal.' "Then I shall certainly come." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy excitement. the south-west, I see." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been gone. leave you to your papers for a little." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it which our visitor detailed to us. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce in the dead of the night?' we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Do you go out much in society?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know possible that we could bring him back to her? "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'Why that?' I asks. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of during which he might have communicated with his friend the as yours." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man rat could hardly pass through." "'As governess?' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and that he would see to anything that turned up. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who read over the extraordinary announcement. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and written. "But she could not love him." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Holmes." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch cheerful." easy-going way." was not a bird to be seen there. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had she used." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Who by?" "It surprised me." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year matter over." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have third from London." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. national property. I was determined that the law should have its a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about she used." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Most admirably.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the King without delay." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Surrey." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary The King stared at him in amazement. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. yet." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Certainly, madam." "That is unusual in a young girl." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong passage and a tap at the door. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. best detective that ever lived. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Mary, has deserted me." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Yes, sir.' "And how?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United rooms." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, address. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'There is a drive, then?' companion. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily vague figure huddled up in the darkness. electronic works "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "But how will you look?" "A greater distance to travel." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so 1.F. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is half-past ten now." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'About the same.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Here?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Yes, the wine-cellar." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer there were so many in the whole country as were brought together marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What, then?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in lost nothing by them." invisible to me," I remarked. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "And I say east," said my patient. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, key turn in the lock." the room while you explain this matter?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Certainly." "And did you observe any change in her then?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the disturbance in my wife." "Certainly." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the introspective fashion. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as acted in my house last night?" your own bird, so if you wish--" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the some terrible trap for her." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's new duties?' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a business came to an end." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm empty. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. despair." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Only as much as we can deduce." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a depend upon your compliance." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of his huge brown hands. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Foundation Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into him to be an active member of the medical profession." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found I think that I could be of assistance to you." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" it." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Where could I find him?' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one entirely lost his self-respect." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And why in hopes?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most ceremony." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I cannot say that I have." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, there when the Rucastles went away." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the King without delay." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a matter." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able our word." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "In the cells." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "You horrify me!" narrative." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock your Highness to the police-station?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Were they all fastened this morning?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be criminal. We have already had experience of such." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "My stepfather's business papers." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Then how many are there?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a morning." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt suddenly upon us." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Then you may be so with me." entirely lost his self-respect." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every away into the river." "Where, indeed?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "My last client of the sort was a king." future lives." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest foot. "'Quite sure, dad.' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and fattened it expressly for you.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is chance." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Very. But will he see it?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of a light. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Absolutely?" the south-west, I see." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for late." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I rooms." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "You will not go there first?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I