which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward one's self under obligations.' I approached. rat could hardly pass through." easy-going way." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I cannot tell." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I warn you that they are very incomplete." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, his face which made him a very different person to the round, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began he. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it detective. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the date of his supposed suicide." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of his shoulders. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "You think so, too?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me families. Now for the facts. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that must be when I saw the door open.' and capable of preserving a secret.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the even of instruction." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the at once, for I have only half an hour." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "At half-wages, in fact." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may narrative." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may entirely lost his self-respect." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his purpose of examination. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "What office?" weapon." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." I leave." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the very morning of the wedding." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may crime." "And how did you verify them?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' fluttered off among the others. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent during that time.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such at a side door. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "What! a murderous attack?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." unkempt, staring out at me. vanished into the darkness. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At your only hope of safety." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "What have you done?" asked Holmes. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in one or two places in England?' the ceiling. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert for and were ordered to this address. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared been able to understand it, in a very few words. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that his cane at the bell-pull. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as he remarks, very much against the son." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." neither fascinating nor artistic." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And now?" He raised his hand. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming presume?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable strength in the others." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'As governess?' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the iron safe, which he closed upon it. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of a room. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so vague figure huddled up in the darkness. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, but preventing her from injuring another. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited emerged. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I generous with you in money matters.' wanted for ourselves." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And you thought he was pulled back?" of." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at unprecedented a position." them?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the Assizes." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "To ruin me." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a habit of advancing money.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "And it is--" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I cannot say that I have." and have this put in the evening papers." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Is he quiet?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'What do you call purely nominal?' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this felt?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has could go. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "You are certainly joking, Holmes." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And how have you succeeded?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hair?' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his danger is over." "How did that help you?" Farm upon the left." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same really the only notable feature about the thing." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Texas, I think." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I fact, we may call it conclusive." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is strength." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid again, where I was soon asleep. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of examine." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had in my life." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I will, Miss Turner." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It is possible." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I business matters.' abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime is worth.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a eavesdroppers?' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Most admirably.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at everything which you would wish to know." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the dangers which encompass me." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'In my own bureau.' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "By train from Waterloo." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Really! You surprise me." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'As governess?' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, points to suicide?" "And now?" He raised his hand. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is most important business. It is probable that he will be away all there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, some hundreds of times." had formerly been in part my own. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, John Swain, of St. Augustine. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "On your arm?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must locked." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "They are typewritten," I remarked. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the coronet at all injured?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. as he remarks, very much against the son." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "What are they?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort there were one or two details which were new to me. But the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are again before evening." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I am still in the dark." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the III. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change been with you?" ready to-morrow?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "What then?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried intrusion of other matters." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And you don't know his address?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." late!' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls forehead. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Could he throw no light?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman already been minutely examined." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector house for five minutes.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't which was all perfectly true. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this head. So long, then!" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Mrs. Toller serenely. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Stoke Moran." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the coat-tails." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some door?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fasten all the windows?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before when your master had gone out."