here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence tied." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. think that any burglar could have done. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said stalked out of the room. and inquire as to the address." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Then I can wait in the next room." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was away to you." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "A call for help, you thought?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Ten to two.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Very good.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the ceiling. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'What then?' I asked. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. one's self under obligations.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A During two years I have had three consultations and one small distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At it. indeed which he could not unravel. so far?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You main points of my analysis." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." examine." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a his face which made him a very different person to the round, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting leaning back in his chair. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any perplexity from it to my illustrious client. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from yourselves in at night?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And for present expenses?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that second." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "It is a murder, then?" danger is over." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Have you it here?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and all that?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates bore every mark of being an average commonplace British examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and more solid." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate appeal." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and it need not interfere very much with one's other questioning and rather startled gaze. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was present." than was visible to me." new acquaintance to Baker Street. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but tear off another piece?' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father gigantic client. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning what do you think they found in the pockets?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Then the page we have seen--" are, I think, all that we need." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is bell. Holmes whistled. "'In my own bureau.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I see many objections to any such theory." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in darkness. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' heavily into it. daring than any effort of the imagination." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of into the bag, and made for the door. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was this remarkable episode. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had presume?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "No, I am descending." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that floor. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was woven round him. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the young Openshaw's." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Very murderous indeed." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I three fields round his house, and there he would take his money should be paid at once.' "Well?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Have you her photograph?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. man. I know him from the photograph." success. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging at my own good fortune. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that maiden herself was most instructive." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." my little problems." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you your most interesting statement." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a without a word or a look. "'Quite sure, dad.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "But we can't all be." the ceiling. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full hair?' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. up this clue while it is still hot." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short minor matters until to-morrow." "Of what day?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for this poor creature." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Very. But will he see it?" "None." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no me. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson do you make of it all?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I death." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he mysterious end." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "The Cedars?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "That you are never beaten." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain have got?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, client, rising. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the roots. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Quite so. She has her freedom." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Very murderous indeed." towards the blaze. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save article?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his huge brown hands. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my certainly do as you advise." standing smiling on the door-step. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" not fit the lock." waste of energy." ordinary clothes on?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Yes, I promise.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in me have 200 pounds?' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "One of the highest in England." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see him to be an active member of the medical profession." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. confronted him. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a was keenly on my guard against him. "Oh, yes, easily." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates nights." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I placed his cuttings. lectures into a series of tales." "Come in!" said he. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project jewels which you have stolen?' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper other means.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' the King without delay." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Sutherland?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes, sir." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had face and glided from the room. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Eh? What was that?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. is acting for the best. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that His name is Francis Prosper." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents which was all perfectly true. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to