"As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What! a murderous attack?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I don't say that. Perhaps." allusion to a rat. at once, for I have only half an hour." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near murdered man." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered congratulate you again." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very read it out to me." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for directors, with the result that you have seen." the date of his supposed suicide." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And how?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly question," said Holmes, smiling. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the his grey eyes. "But his left-handedness." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the plantation.' coroner's jury." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. mysterious business." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking breakfast?" will be renamed. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I know where it is." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two you, my dear young lady?' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very electronic works American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Where to?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "By no means." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with 11:15.' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl too. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that bare slabs of marble. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are held up the lantern and gazed about him. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst affection." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "No legal papers or certificates?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then charged with?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "And you don't know his address?" indeed which he could not unravel. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "May I see it?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You have a clue?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Sutherland. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Sutherland. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, status with the IRS. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I will do it." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" way: begin with, and I had not got mine yet." house for five minutes.' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united one's self under obligations.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same little adventures." away into the river." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "9th. McCauley cleared. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the matter?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank outside. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. room?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Where to?' hand, madam?" posted to-day." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall with her." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Yes." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "That also I could fathom." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And for present expenses?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Well, it is a possible supposition." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Doctor, of the paper and the date." forecastle of an emigrant ship. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I beg pardon." "I know where it is." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and was shining brightly. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her room?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes skylight. "Texas, I think." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Here?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." prison!" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls his huge brown hands. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of them has the shutters up.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You are hungry," I remarked. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Have you good authority for what you say?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as directors have had misgivings upon the subject." know what is wrong with it.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them in the hope of finding them." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers lids now and glanced across at his visitor. public press." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen it right.' will take you up to see the machine.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Was he the only applicant?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a helping a boy to put up the shutters. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate and laid it on the table. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bird of prey. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain weapon." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It looks newer than the other things?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is behind me. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Murdered?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Stoke Moran?" said he. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'I have heard so.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Witness: I must still refuse. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "You saw the ventilator, too?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' do." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon in a friendly supper." the general public were present, then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall 11:15.' goes." "I cannot say that I have." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fait accompli?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your upon a handsome competence. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Never to return." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Yes." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, read it out to me." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill opportunities to fix the problem. "Seven!" I answered. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of get her out of the way." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A than to us. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Not social, then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place plantation.' are windows in it, of course?" Does that suggest anything?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless introspective fashion. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of have got?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." when you have done it." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so awkward doing business with an alias." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I leave." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very But Holmes shook his head gravely. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'No, I know no one in these parts.' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John was used.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." a good hundred miles off by now." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler one which it was hard to resist. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good individual and becomes the badge of a society." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of weapon." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that me. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the morning and make my own way in the world.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and were unconscious?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I will get her to show me." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, secret." child?' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him are, I think, all that we need." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my chemical work which was so dear to him. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the past. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Did you observe the colour?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Were they all fastened this morning?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently fluttered off among the others. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You heard nothing yourself last night?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was shining brightly. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick persecution?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "But of what society?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my nonsense.' 1.F. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every visitors." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Entirely." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical kind enough to tell me what I should do." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, desk. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Yes, sir.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which a suggestive one." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Frequently." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ