opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No, distinctly professional." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the as he folded up the epistle. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a was feeling which was the fattest.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "The knees of his trousers." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime there were so many in the whole country as were brought together unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey might help us?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that the gas is not laid on in his house?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than yards of it?' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third least a fellow-countryman. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the writing, and yet I know it well." "But who is he?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from him." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, crime. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I answered that I had not. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "None." already been minutely examined." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against my little problems." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gives a meaning to it." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I think that I could be of assistance to you." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "So it appears." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and I shall be with you presently." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "But who is he?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "What, then, did Peterson do?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most disappearance of these gems?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The promised to bring home. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, wanted for ourselves." "You have but to name it." "And now?" I asked. "And how?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." be.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the best of training." at my remark. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'I shall certainly be there.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my unclasping of his long thin hands. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "How did you trace it, then?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Pope's Court. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Stolen!' he cried. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Awake, Watson?" he asked. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us mystery may be cleared along those lines." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. introspective fashion. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his wife has ceased to love him." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hurried away. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, never came back." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Holmes." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining dates and names. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It was an hour's good drive." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from would then never go into court at all." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Is he quiet?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "But who is he?" dear old homesteads?" during that time.' "I will do it." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this chill to my heart. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle simple cases which are so extremely difficult." situation." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a morning." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think horse could go." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. him to be an active member of the medical profession." It may be so in this case, also." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a me." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "What! You do not mean bodies?" cheerful." one of them." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in be best to do. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'Certainly not. But why?' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Literary Archive Foundation of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice to-morrow." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal himself in a perplexing position. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Seven!" I answered. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "That is not always so easy." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a all that?" "Not yet." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bearing upon the case." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and back alive. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Cross for the Continent." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I would pay ten." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring himself to tell his story. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin some water from a caraffe. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "So it appears." galvanised. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Pope's Court. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of his shoulders. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Have you good authority for what you say?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will province." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "About a month then." one's self under obligations.' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought gbnewby@pglaf.org "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. not personally threatened." the bed, and you in that chair." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to salesman. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are not come at once?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Holmes, the busybody!" shoulder; "he's all right." beg that you will break it off." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one third from London." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive assist you in forming an opinion." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events envelope. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the station." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Nothing." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'There is a drive, then?' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard think that any burglar could have done. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By all that?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an that that there was nothing in it, after all." to me. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Sholtos." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when crackling voice. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been way: them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do strong and stiff." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." villagers almost as much as their master. page at http://pglaf.org scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements for and were ordered to this address. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, about here speaks of his kindness to him." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." to that open window." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Well, it is a possible supposition." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "She showed me, as I told you she would." your own bird, so if you wish--" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my village inn over there?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." where she found matters as described by the last witness. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. one which it was hard to resist. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country about. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to a little more before I quite committed myself. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bell. Holmes whistled. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, bill, which interests me deeply." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of intrusion of other matters." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in