the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend notes," he said. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Indeed! Whose, then?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin not come at once?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." acted in my house last night?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. present." do.' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I should like to see him very much." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It time." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The summons was a brief and urgent one. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of receipt of the work. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her have got?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" with some details as to your case." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out article?" "9th. McCauley cleared. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Tired-looking or fresh?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And I say east," said my patient. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "The landlord of the Alpha." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Leadenhall Street--and--" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business points in connection with it which never have been, and probably friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you in yours." I shall continue with my miserable story. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And how did he make his money?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I have come for advice." thin legs towards the fire. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a outbreak?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to father's place of business?" "Yes." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Not particularly." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Very murderous indeed." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And My friend smiled. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think me. You must get home instantly and act." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and all of them with the keenest interest. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was a lad." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman long narrative. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may conclusions. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Where to?' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you written. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To cheerful." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Really! You surprise me." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It missed him, then?" "'I have heard so.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Indeed! Whose, then?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of his shoulders. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on instituted." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "It was." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And why?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just tension within him. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and of the vacancies.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No, finished." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Whose house is it?" a monotonous occupation." "It certainly sounds feasible." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, as he remarks, very much against the son." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. pictures, libraries, or plate. all?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I beg pardon." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his shall not find me ungrateful." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "At what time?" was keenly on my guard against him. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And how have you succeeded?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Do you know him?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers status with the IRS. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to points in connection with it which never have been, and probably difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "That you are never beaten." nothing of it?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at II. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I will try. What is it?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sake, don't!" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." instincts rose up against that laugh. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the off." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing writing, and yet I know it well." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken putting in the horse. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "But who is he?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Why did you pick him?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have sufficient punishment." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the station." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "What, then, did Peterson do?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all wife's character?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency see a sister of mine apply for." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "It is to him that this trophy belongs." time." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as cigars in their mouths. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but entirely devoid of interest." directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' was a lad." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dates and names. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself shall not find me ungrateful." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the one of the states of the Union." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of campaign. should be taken.' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I my special province." present." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed waste of energy." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with from you?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling triumphant cloud from his cigarette. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a lost nothing by them." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and I shall be with you presently." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society good for you to do.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day his face which made him a very different person to the round, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "And why?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of relief. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "When did she vanish, then?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as works. See paragraph 1.E below. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. of receipt of the work. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "What!" he roared. if I call to-morrow?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Not particularly." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly annoyance, but no jest. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were article?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must desk. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is nights." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It may not come to that," said Holmes. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main front of me.