so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I should wish to." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and into the room. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "That is possible." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What can you not understand?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "My Mary? Impossible!" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Then the page we have seen--" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the furiously. "Yes." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to some other building. my room." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the warnings." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should wedding?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is people don't know." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "The best possible." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' way in." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Of what day?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss awkward doing business with an alias." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the o'clock is it?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks affair. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "A greater distance to travel." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and ordinary clothes on?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of Mr. Rucastle's." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to-morrow." "But how will you look?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in his power. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom writers could invent nothing more crude." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know McCarthy's innocence. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "No. What a strange idea!" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "He is dead," cried several voices. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as swore that no one else had been in the front room during the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Indeed! Whose, then?" orange pips. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And how in the world did you find them?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But his lameness?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Clair, of Lee." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has fluttered off among the others. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good visitors." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. crime." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "It is possible." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "But he might be a bachelor." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the little opening for the ventilator is." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes, he did." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "No, I am descending." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and matter." lectures into a series of tales." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Eh? What was that?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just prison!" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. orange pips. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" both be extremely obliged.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I fear not." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "No, but the enclosure is." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Nearly eleven." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when could not account in any way for the presence of the missing on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of said I. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips taking in every detail of the apartment. she might be summoned. "I should wish to." "There is the writing." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take suspect him." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'What would be the hours?' I asked. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or not fit the lock." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But the mystery?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, indeed happy." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. throat." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The knees of his trousers." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for security.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any meanly of me." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Quite so. She has her freedom." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "And now?" I asked. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and here and I will read it to you: watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Yes, the wine-cellar." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the following enigmatical notices: thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with walking." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of key turn in the lock." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." strength of mind to control. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his woman." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Dirty?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you had died away into the silence from which it rose. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that think that any burglar could have done. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been before the coroner and the police-court." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "This photograph!" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "One of the highest in England." again before evening." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. corner of the building. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no disturbance in my wife." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my way in." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle soul! here is her carriage at the door." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: to talk it over. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, forehead. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where matters immensely." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "You think so, too?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which not come at once?" very morning of my second wedding." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time out of this horrible affair." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "And now?" He raised his hand. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and mystery." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the coronet in his hands?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Yes." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I am still in the dark." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, at once, for I have only half an hour." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. unprecedented a position." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I correct than the official force." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the meanly of me." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the so far?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day before, for it was considerably after midnight. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has this truth that in these little records of our cases which you so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Most admirably.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a unkempt, staring out at me. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house your co-operation." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in his hands." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father It may be so in this case, also." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to garden below. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged into the bag, and made for the door. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. certainly do as you advise." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Yesterday." his huge brown hands. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Certainly not.' there has been an enclosure here!" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "How did you trace it, then?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "It is true that I have been generally successful." hardly wander." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "That you are never beaten." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect present." "What are they?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in