then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. evidence," I remarked. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my wanted for ourselves." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, said Mr. Holder. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'I have heard so.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. events than those which have happened in my own family." "I shall be delighted." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had lamp. Eyford at 11:15.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "How are you getting on?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "And I say east," said my patient. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted exactly what you advise." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was there!' once more. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I promise," said Holmes. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of campaign. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of where we are going." me what he had done with the three missing stones. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in appeared upon the scene." with you?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as bare slabs of marble. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes' thin, eager face. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "At what time?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out golden eyeglasses. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the coroner come to?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question how narrow had been my escape. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue closing the door. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Certainly." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but it." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Nothing." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "What?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there should be so warm over such a trifle." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "That is not always so easy." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "He said that you could solve anything." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was stammered. was a perfect sample of the class. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. at a side door. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little some city in a dream. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to habit of advancing money.' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful know what is wrong with it.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney gentleman's clothes. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Nothing." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and your only hope of safety." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of he died? street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes?" man. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to tell." "But what will you do?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the learned something! Where are the gems?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I say that I have solved it." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the general public were present, then?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring then?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "None." lost nothing by them." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what unprecedented a position." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through examination of the premises, but without finding anything which examination of the premises, but without finding anything which docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that murdered man." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And why in hopes?" "That was it, sir." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we opportunities to fix the problem. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Arthur Conan Doyle Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream nights." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The shaken than I had ever seen him. such person." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And when will you call?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at go--none." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that past. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I have solved it." "But it has twice been burgled." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had that you saw all that I did." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "What! a murderous attack?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way DISSOLVED. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is know that the truth is known." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the closing the door. wedding?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage walking." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "The rest you will leave in our hands." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the redistribution. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At better in every way that they should make their position a little were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that are, and they are waiting for us." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is hard-headed British jury." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to that open window." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I am about to be married." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "The murder was done with it." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout dramatic, in fact." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, works. "Yes, certainly." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, a monotonous occupation." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "What then?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Street. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being purpose of examination. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Yes, it was gone.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I cannot tell." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged hands. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had despair." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon interest. They are important, you understand, without being of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Where is it, then?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given sparkled upon his finger. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I am to be neutral?" "I have seen the police." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "On your arm?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Did you become engaged then?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I fact, we may call it conclusive." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless letters?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And how in the world did you find them?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be there in time for your coming." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which happened." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I am to be neutral?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." or in danger--" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Oh, yes, easily." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily his knees, staring into the fire. "Come in!" said he. floor. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered feature." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to-morrow." prepare for the new role I have to play." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough been shamefully used." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales just ask you whether you had heard it.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a you give your casting vote to?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "You are all wrong." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise as noiselessly as she had come. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. was not a bird to be seen there. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his article?"