drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Come in!" said he. Arthur Conan Doyle your Highness to the police-station?" "But who is he?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "No?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior assist you in forming an opinion." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You horrify me!" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, chair. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal congratulate you again." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Certainly." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought because she had spent so short a time in this country that she came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. me. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You were travelling in the States?" "What then?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign some water from a caraffe. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Eh? What was that?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Yes, certainly." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they where we are going." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London outside. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "And now?" I asked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "That is it on the dressing-table." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an compunction about shooting them down." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of goes." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, is worth.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into do." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "It missed him, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "That is unusual in a young girl." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "In answer to an advertisement." "I have seen the police." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "On your arm?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "This photograph!" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to His smile broadened. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. weighed down with some great anxiety. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may It may be so in this case, also." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that he will be back before evening." secret." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, least a fellow-countryman. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I will get her to show me." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the during that time.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a dramatic, in fact." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No. What a strange idea!" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sparkled upon his finger. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean chambers. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "How about poison?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been article?" "Then the page we have seen--" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your you." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned empty. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Not in a good cause." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that that threaten you." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years upon an income of about 60 pounds." John Swain, of St. Augustine. empty. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Stolen, then." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage away in different directions, and I went off to make my own high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Do you know him?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that I may have something better before very many minutes are Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. strode off upon his way. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "How about poison?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Nothing?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Yes, only one." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good sake, don't!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. there has been an enclosure here!" been deceived." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Only as much as we can deduce." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden nights." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. there was no need for father to know." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that threaten you." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Pray let us have it, for all that." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a gbnewby@pglaf.org "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "She showed me, as I told you she would." of Fenchurch Street." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So leaning back in his chair. union?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely charge against him will break down." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little orange pips. in his power. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. least a most suspicious remark." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you you came in." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "What can it mean?" I gasped. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the prisoner's face. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if extraordinary contortions. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of it with the greatest attention. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own have not had my rubber." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "What office?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Then he might have called to you?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for absorbing." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." own family. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my following enigmatical notices: know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in recover the gem." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard The summons was a brief and urgent one. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular one which it was hard to resist. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his outsides of the windows. thirty. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box mystery may be cleared along those lines." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fattened it expressly for you.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my way in." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in a very precise fashion." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? not within a twentieth part of the market price." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are charged with?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "No." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "But the mystery?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek young Openshaw's." bears upon the case?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was his face. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And why in hopes?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the later, upon the night of May 2nd." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious question. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I read it out to me." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Not particularly." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he helping a boy to put up the shutters. Holmes' thin, eager face. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and for and were ordered to this address. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Well, some hundreds of times." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" best detective that ever lived. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an do you make of it all?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Yes, from Horsham." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Count Von Kramm." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I think that it is very probable." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "It is true that I have been generally successful." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I would give my fortune to have them back." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." orange pips. "Why? What do you mean?" over here." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I don't say that. Perhaps." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to acquaintance?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My gone. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, who was a member of your goose club." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "What do you mean?" Gutenberg-tm License. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I see no marks." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a