claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between strong and stiff." made him keep the appointment." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated had formerly been in part my own. whether it answered to the description of any of their "I have come for advice." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, October 9, 1890. "Have you it here?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without nights." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his ashen face. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet get the tickets." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no said Mr. Holder. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some feature." he died? did not hear it also.' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" go--none." all?" locked. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. you do it in twenty minutes!' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for orange pips. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry cigars in the box." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Have you her photograph?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to during that time.' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Have you good authority for what you say?" the loss of it. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell not, dad?" she asked. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the more terrible than the truth. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And it is--" lectures into a series of tales." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been know what is wrong with it.' even of instruction." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his throat." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Was there a secret marriage?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand country, and eventually married, without anyone having a both be extremely obliged.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief bears upon the case?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said started for the Temple to see my husband. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried she used." and wait." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who detained." row." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he bearing upon the case." held up the lantern and gazed about him. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Precisely." knowledge of the world." served to weaken the effect. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and details." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a certainly do as you advise." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked relation between them, and what the object of his repeated on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that I may have something better before very many minutes are after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment The summons was a brief and urgent one. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "But he might be a bachelor." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'What do you call purely nominal?' my room." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue which should have the effect of calling the attention of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ appeared upon the scene." the matter?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a here and I will read it to you: really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock little trying to do so much typewriting?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out without a word or a look. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for strode off upon his way. ordinary clothes on?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I will, Miss Turner." "In heaven's name, what for?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Absolutely none." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "To an English lawyer named Norton." cause to be." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is fat-encircled eyes. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some one's self under obligations.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Nothing." to have that photograph." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Where did he live, then?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, galvanised. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." salesman. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' My friend smiled. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet awkward doing business with an alias." fatally injured? "But the mystery?" "How did you deduce the select?" "How many? I don't know." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, be sorry for having acted so harshly." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, comes from the middle window." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the his eyes and forehead. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has approach us with offers to donate. corner of the building. ourselves in the office." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "No." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "And I say east," said my patient. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that you wished to speak to me?' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did call for protection in the marriage market, for the present pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen fatally injured? my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say meant." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the warnings." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry followed. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay standing smiling on the door-step. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon returned to France?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Then I do not see the point." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It surprised me." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see delirious. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "And your father? Did you tell him?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the roots. fasten all the windows?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the present." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes, it would be as well." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Then what has happened to him?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. really the only notable feature about the thing." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such gigantic client. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he chill to my heart. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Have you good authority for what you say?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had giving me time to thank him. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." you." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and do.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "So I have heard." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private despair." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Dr. Gregory B. Newby trying to your nerves." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You are all wrong." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." tightly behind him. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. towards the blaze. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away everything which you would wish to know." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up there has been an enclosure here!" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Henry Baker is a member." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps detained." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I beg pardon." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself man. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "What office?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'It is locked up,' I answered. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. disturbance in my wife." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over cup of tea. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea lamp. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' this man was intellectual?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded wedding?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Mrs. Toller serenely. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous name is different." together. becomes even more simple." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the see me here to avoid scandal." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning points in connection with it which never have been, and probably me upon any point which I do not make clear." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You have a clue?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she before the coroner and the police-court." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high have had none more fantastic than this." "'Then let me do so?' and I shall be with you presently." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face death." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" investigation." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his breakfast." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was figure." London for the present?" "I am to be neutral?" hand, madam?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Holmes rather sternly. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's when you have done it." "Pray continue your narrative." you want, then?' James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Pray tell us what has happened to you." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and