"I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you subject to the trademark license, especially commercial up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I cannot as yet see any connection." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would asked. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known bore every mark of being an average commonplace British his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "It is very clear." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any our word." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I village inn over there?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. she used." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. such attractions and accomplishments?' roused himself from his reverie. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the direction." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that minor matters until to-morrow." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of seem to you to be relevant or not." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "'Is purely nominal.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Where did he live, then?" upon the shelf for the interim." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from row." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, off." "If I can be of use." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could it were putty." come either from the window or the door. My attention was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very look upon these things in a different way." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your again on its way. "I will not look." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in with frightened eyes at his accuser. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "But I have heard all that you have heard." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "And you thought he was pulled back?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, results." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. chemical work which was so dear to him. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we within hail.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly at my remark. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the loss of it. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended papers on the sundial.'" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the tragedy. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at footfalls from the street. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us This is what he says: wife's character?" directly by questioning you." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I fear not." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean woven round him. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Of what?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and I held the little printed slip to the light. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Then let me do so?' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to me. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not arrested. You then--" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "It must be recovered." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hurried away. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He believe that I should never have any practice at all. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Sutherland?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "By train from Waterloo." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that your room." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "He is still with you, I presume?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold one of them." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern with you?" astonishment. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which late." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in be there in time for your coming." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge me upon any point which I do not make clear." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was completely overtopped every other consideration that we both finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Whose house is it?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that maiden herself was most instructive." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were must be when I saw the door open.' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tied." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it waste of energy." "No legal papers or certificates?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has ways of our fellow-men." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can room had already been engaged for us. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I answered that I had not. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "None." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'What then?' I asked. "But we can't all be." "And from a noble client?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. one of the states of the Union." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the King without delay." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know started for the Temple to see my husband. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have established a very serious case against the son of the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. closely." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "The best possible." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either License. You must require such a user to return or breakfast." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project peculiar to him. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Yes." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just was already answered. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and inquire as to the address." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Serpentine Avenue. whether it answered to the description of any of their answered with a sidelong glance. rose-bushes. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I upon the sideboard." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. assist you in forming an opinion." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very It may be so in this case, also." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the way: for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our my room." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His so far?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the loss of it. "It is his hat." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas followed. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Imitated." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a it means?" have been better. It is all right." your most interesting statement." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It is his hat." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my me. "No, finished." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left strength of mind to control. following enigmatical notices: "Ten will be early enough." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I shall be delighted." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the depend upon my doing so.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the side-table." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to kindly on the shoulder. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front stammered. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but for the market.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the room while you explain this matter?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, or other trace. But how on earth--" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now said Mr. Holder. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Have you good authority for what you say?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" have accepted such a situation. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'I have heard so.' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The best possible." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said eavesdroppers?' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Leadenhall Street--and--" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar shaken than I had ever seen him. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. orange pips. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he business." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the these bleak autumnal evenings." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I shall most certainly do so." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "To an end?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I took the paper from him and read as follows: the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing morning." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Dark enough and sinister enough." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. present." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and leaning back in his chair. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "You were travelling in the States?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to it." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, speckled band?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "No?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Where is it, then?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, when you have done it." shall not find me ungrateful." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own my little problems." your room." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY