It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and the church but not where the lady lived." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes." tightly behind him. "He said too much." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the salesman. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not something of him before." distinguish the words: "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of delirious. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Ten to two.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the charged with?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, distinctly professional." and laid it on the table. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I cannot tell." "Holmes, the busybody!" woven round him. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'I am sure that I do not know.' night.' said he. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Yes, the wine-cellar." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and that threaten you." them, and came down just as you departed. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the place of silver." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and awaited us upon the table. "'What then?' I asked. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I think that I had better go, Holmes." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more me upon any point which I do not make clear." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that I am arrested." "Has he come with you to-night?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss were wasted." "That was it, sir." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work DAMAGE. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I have hopes." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I at my own good fortune. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Won't it ring?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small that?' questionable one." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I have my revolver," said I. Dr. Gregory B. Newby distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Then I can wait in the next room." became a certainty. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Entirely." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any giving me time to thank him. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to have that photograph." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I approached. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Perfectly so." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No, thank goodness, she did not." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the bed, and you in that chair." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in peculiar to him. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "A call for help, you thought?" the south-west, I see." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Precisely." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those correct than the official force." time." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." second window is the one that I jumped from." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the have established a very serious case against the son of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of acted in my house last night?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But how did you gain them?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." families. Now for the facts. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case him!" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or interest. They are important, you understand, without being the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor heavy and sharp instrument." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Yes, the wine-cellar." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do children over to America with him, so that I found myself without direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, I shall continue with my miserable story. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows row." fattened it expressly for you.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked singular points about the case. What did the police think of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "No legal papers or certificates?" writers could invent nothing more crude." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'There is a drive, then?' "Stolen." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I came to find a friend." "Oh, yes, easily." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "A greater distance to travel." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I don't say that. Perhaps." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right back to my heart. what I may call a really hard day's work." kindly on the shoulder. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down fish-monger and a tide-waiter." was keenly on my guard against him. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his furiously. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose status with the IRS. Miss Holder?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. been shamefully used." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Pool. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you details." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'Certainly not.' voice, changing her seat as requested. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was here." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." chance." "I have come for advice." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. his forehead." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of point in the dark hollow of his hand. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy mysterious business." "I guessed as much." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fait accompli?" "No, I think that I'll take it." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bird I ate is country bred." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fishes. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in a friendly supper." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson other, as fresh and trim as possible. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I shall most certainly do so." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography allusion to a rat. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Never.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works situation." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his eyes and forehead. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is strength." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "He said too much." shaken than I had ever seen him. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, be there in time for your coming." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and once more to my work. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do future lives." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose be there in time for your coming." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features dear old homesteads?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the speckled band?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the certainly do as you advise." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me during which he might have communicated with his friend the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" certainly do as you advise." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "What!" he roared. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a these bleak autumnal evenings." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and inquire as to the address." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Oh, no.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises soul! here is her carriage at the door." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a to take care of herself." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Does that suggest anything?" a monotonous occupation." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in unclasping of his long thin hands. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I assure you that I am in your hands." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I nothing of it?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his room?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "'Quite sure, dad.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand any little problem which you may submit to me." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "No?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise happened." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either fluttered off among the others. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal know that the truth is known." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'About the same.' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "That is not always so easy." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. he died? were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." there!' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He is still with you, I presume?" weary and pale-looking. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a