"'Yes, but with my back towards it.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "How on earth--" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six affection." "Then he might have called to you?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in before, for it was considerably after midnight. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Come in!" said Holmes. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Certainly,' I answered. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "In heaven's name, what for?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. him to go away.' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the south-west, I see." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty this remarkable episode. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Where does the thing come from?' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "By all means." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining stood on the top of it. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" had this final quarrel? the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "And why?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the dates and names. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "And what did you learn from him?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." bearing upon the case." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry it." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at constraint." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty searched, without anything being found which could incriminate he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I am about to be married." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and looked back. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. than was visible to me." charged with?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. asked with his eyes open. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Where, then, is my wife?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the a very grave face. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a how narrow had been my escape. "Not him." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of sooner or later she must fall a victim. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Of Friday, June 19th." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their an introduction to him?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over with some details as to your case." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Of what day?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." problems help me to do so." kind enough to tell me what I should do." writer." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Do you know him?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their cigars in their mouths. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Where, then, is my wife?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was light and attacked it." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever spare." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, there in twenty minutes." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited emerged. "She told me to ask you." grasp, he hurried from the room. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "The Cedars?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' My friend smiled. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Seven!" I answered. corner of the building. for its centre. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Yes, I have one waiting." so.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission clanging. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every village inn over there?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, all-comprehensive glances. a very grave face. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are you." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of McCarthy." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." foresight and the moral retrogression?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "And I." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ready to-morrow?' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw my former friend and companion. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll it." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Certainly,' I answered. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You forget that I know nothing about it." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Very truly yours, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural charge against him will break down." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I promise," said Holmes. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is results." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she someone who had been in Australia." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting voice, changing her seat as requested. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like one which it was hard to resist. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" habit of advancing money.' companion. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you do it in twenty minutes!' strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Where did he live, then?" "Do you go out much in society?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." congenial hunt. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not address. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Could he throw no light?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your sentimental considerations in the background which would induce smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a not as remarkable as your advertisement." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a what is your own theory as to what took place?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were woman who has had her own way to make in the world. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Certainly." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat awkward doing business with an alias." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him prepare for the new role I have to play." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would me." "That also I could fathom." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to handed it to him. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "How did he come?" stepfather?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that I am arrested." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "My stepfather's business papers." very old mansion. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and present." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "My dear Holmes!" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. indeed happy." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down IS my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The existence." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his system of imprisonment?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and looked back. 11:15.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to forehead. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "A greater distance to travel." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the held up the lantern and gazed about him. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a made his money." "ARAT," I read. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the Red-headed League." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Won't it ring?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'How far from the body?' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?"