"You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "A client, then?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "To an English lawyer named Norton." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." you give your casting vote to?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Won't it ring?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I written, and locked the door of the office after me. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Pray do so." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and prosperity to your house. Good-night." relief. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. disappearance of the bride.'" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, daring than any effort of the imagination." do.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but begin with, and I had not got mine yet." again on its way. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "My Mary? Impossible!" "No good news?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most next day. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the less than 26s. 4d. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which 'I should be able to look after that for you.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been papers." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sholtos." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds that bedroom door." even of instruction." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "No." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Clair, of Lee." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see him!" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "To an English lawyer named Norton." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found had no one to advise her at such a crisis." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But he might be a bachelor." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that you can jump it.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Miss Holder?" be.' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better putting in the horse. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs whereabouts. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. persecution?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Where did he live, then?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. case before our client came into the room." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But breakfast?" made his money." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'As governess?' had a long day." "Yes." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Perfectly so." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. your most interesting statement." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "But I have heard all that you have heard." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much your troubles." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. followed. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I was afraid that you were engaged." three fields round his house, and there he would take his his knees, staring into the fire. only touch the interest." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would success. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I what these perils are?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, green of the new foliage. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, that is the Crown." "In San Francisco, a year ago." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid congenial hunt. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation morning." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting never came back." not, dad?" she asked. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It spare." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Was she in good spirits?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a bonnet, and went out." you." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Mary, has deserted me." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking like that before?" Holmes." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through meant." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by for and were ordered to this address. you understand?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And sit in the dark?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Were they all fastened this morning?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "By no means." Pope's Court. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And you can do nothing until then?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella lectures into a series of tales." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was said he. infinite languor in his face. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a electronic works "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'In my own bureau.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened taking in every detail of the apartment. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't power." asked. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Not him." your equipment. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great eavesdroppers?' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the as he folded up the epistle. for and were ordered to this address. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new that I may have something better before very many minutes are Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Holmes. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Quite sure, dad.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry stammered. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in The King stared at him in amazement. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Come in!" said Holmes. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right back into the street. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should peculiar to him. "And the murderer?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Upon what point?" "On your arm?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the bottom.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And I to find an enemy." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and too. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was room?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that voice. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean closely." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'As governess?' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "My dear Holmes!" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine six. Come in!" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this cheerful." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "The Cedars?" "'Most admirably.' "And how?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yes, but only for you and me." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Nothing." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Then, as to money?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "You think so, too?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Very much so." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent heavy and sharp instrument." the window, rose as we entered. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out his fortune, and I went back to pa. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent sneer upon his pale face. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its gigantic client. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the one as in the other." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "It is solved." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Surrey." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one to me. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "His face fell immediately. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Absolutely none." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love to-night?" I asked. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would strong and stiff." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "But the mystery?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined The King stared at him in amazement. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Yes, I promise.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Not I." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "That is easily got." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really little trying to do so much typewriting?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hand, madam?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see a very grave face. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and jewels which you have stolen?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Have you it here?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at intrusion of other matters." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted