have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the side-table." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was placed his cuttings. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place point in the dark hollow of his hand. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see one else, I think." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can done what I asked you, Jones?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew pictures, libraries, or plate. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Literary Archive Foundation "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ashen face. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed sound at heart." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom brought there to personate someone, and the real person is me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I am all attention, madam." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably this unhappy family?" "Holmes, the busybody!" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "No, my brougham is waiting." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and lips." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Then he might have called to you?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "My own seal." "Certainly." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had note?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day were new raised from a basin. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and everything which you would wish to know." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a felt?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I will not look." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before maid will bring up your coffee." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Why? What do you mean?" handed it to him. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to straighten it?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. our word." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the never to learn it at all." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Again Holmes raved in the air. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "My dear Holmes!" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the bears upon the case?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Again Holmes raved in the air. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." held up the lantern and gazed about him. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the indeed which he could not unravel. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I will get her to show me." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the in my life." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal which are rolled in Rotterdam." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the go--none." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Very well, sir. And this stone?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fait accompli?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have power." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "How did that help you?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman obstinate." suspect him." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am all attention, madam." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue most important business. It is probable that he will be away all plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I answered that I had not. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be electronic works "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my ourselves in the office." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, plantation.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "No, I had a dozen." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with there was no need for father to know." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my waste of energy." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Yes." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these rose-bushes. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my think you a quite exceptional woman." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and as he remarks, very much against the son." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, you?' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "From his hat?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'A dozen yards or so.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It is solved." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another infinite languor in his face. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to change my dress. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he villagers almost as much as their master. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you answered with a sidelong glance. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send bare slabs of marble. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about my former friend and companion. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I have come for advice." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was prison!" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "That was it, sir." client, rising. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. carpenter." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this way: marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. October 9, 1890. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. think that he is innocent?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Yes, I promise.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Whose house is it?" suddenly upon us." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my row." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I strong reason behind." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper best detective that ever lived. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "And is that all?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "His face fell immediately. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of drawing your inferences." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. himself to hunt down. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own down from London to inquire more deeply into it." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience persecution?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' written, and locked the door of the office after me. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to miss it." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." know all about it," he snarled. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard flock.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "If I can be of use." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Then I do not see the point." strength of mind to control. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "He said that you could solve anything." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Miss Holder?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy was once confined in the cab my mission was practically years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang beyond words. "But you have hopes?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the particular state visit http://pglaf.org habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the window, rose as we entered. been shamefully used." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I with her." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "No." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I will do it." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem was feeling which was the fattest.' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had are, I think, all that we need." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Of Friday, June 19th." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel DISSOLVED. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Perhaps we may make them less so." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It must be recovered." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door carriage. It was a chestnut." "It is very kind of you." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and the church but not where the lady lived." respectable self." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight wife's character?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the nursery. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What