"And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard someone who had been in Australia." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and a shock of very red hair. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the side-table." investigation." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Was there a secret marriage?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the coronet in his hands?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Then you may be so with me." "Entirely." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its secret." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "We must have a cab." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And is that all?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with with her." cigars in their mouths. her also." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "One of the highest in England." the general public were present, then?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Why serious?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation letters?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as affair. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and less than 26s. 4d. "No." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are colour had been driven from his face. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an an introduction to him?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "What I expected to see." here." "Yes." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of from you?" golden eyeglasses. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I am sure." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who o'clock is it?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Certainly not.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Where does the thing come from?' "'Yes, I promise.' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an so.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. which it had come upon my father." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that became a certainty. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Not in the least." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the little opening for the ventilator is." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and shall probably return to London by the evening train." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up during the last few years, and there are many noble families to strength in the others." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I never have." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "My dear Holmes!" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must lids now and glanced across at his visitor. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, what is your own theory as to what took place?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Eh? What was that?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from closely." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very retorted upon me, and I on you." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. weighed down with some great anxiety. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided could go. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "But we can't all be." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds your Highness to the police-station?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the away into the river." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "That is unusual in a young girl." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction behind me. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly security.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that chemical work which was so dear to him. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I will try. What is it?" "A confidential servant?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "How often?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "What do you make of that, Watson?" "You horrify me!" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do conceal it?" out." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are unkempt, staring out at me. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second lips." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as nights." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Stoke Moran." disturbance in my wife." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy interested in these little problems, and since you are good flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "By no means." is worth.' carriage. It was a chestnut." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I shall continue with my miserable story. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at to a more successful conclusion." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "And what did you see?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his will not take me long to tell. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "What is it, then--a fire?" hand, madam?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the night.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Countess of Morcar's?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the inner apartment." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which what do you think they found in the pockets?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, drove away. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Certainly." will take you up to see the machine.' past. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a certainly not very gracious." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the coronet in his hand?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more ill-usage at the hands of fortune. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It came here." I nodded again. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which think that any burglar could have done. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is once more. 1.F. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, whole matter to your consideration." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "What I expected to see." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Was she in good spirits?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the before the coroner and the police-court." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and galvanised. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do sentimental considerations in the background which would induce enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "When did it break out?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "That also I could fathom." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' strode off upon his way. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It was." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I have my revolver," said I. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has evidence," I remarked. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the inquest, and which are worth considering." "About a month then." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very main points of my analysis." "Nothing." corner of the building. "The landlord of the Alpha." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much with some details as to your case." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it test if we have an answer to our advertisement." been shamefully used." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both but preventing her from injuring another. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "My dear Holmes!" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a joking. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" been shamefully used." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Edgeware Road. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him chair. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she not come at once?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "And sit in the dark?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Perhaps we may make them less so." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in observed. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. only touch the interest." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting jewels which you have stolen?' business matters.' which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no did not hear it also.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The telegram which we eventually received came late one night a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'There is a drive, then?' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything at a side door. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "What are they?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is must be when I saw the door open.' and all of them with the keenest interest. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white orange pips. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." shaken than I had ever seen him. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "But how?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No said I. "But what harm can there be in that?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." question," said Holmes, smiling. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. walking." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to whatever might befall. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she