was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I am sure." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and inquire as to the address." "Dr. Becher's." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and all of them with the keenest interest. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him papers must be those that are destroyed.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "That you are never beaten." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." do." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly use an arc-and-compass breastpin." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that you saw all that I did." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in could go. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you think that he is innocent?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "To an English lawyer named Norton." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or down. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'In my own bureau.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper how narrow had been my escape. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Certainly." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from appeal." grasp, he hurried from the room. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question could not account in any way for the presence of the missing pictures, libraries, or plate. crowd. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I never have." you." "Holmes, the busybody!" and glanced through. conclusions. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! begun to whiten, even as mine has." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our as this. Pray let me have the details." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and had picked up in the wood. putting in the horse. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has manager. of your young ladies.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' someone who had been in Australia." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain pound a week." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" to tell." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Never." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the matter." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main subject to the trademark license, especially commercial there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was lame." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "I am following you closely," I answered. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I woven round him. to-night's adventure." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Why that?' I asks. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the bed, and you in that chair." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a trying to your nerves." go back?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your at home. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend delirious. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and get the tickets." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of such person." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the very morning of the wedding." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat purpose of examination. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the you give your casting vote to?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'And the work?' "Yes, sir." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, respectable self." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Won't it ring?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third was a loud and authoritative tap. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' whether it answered to the description of any of their to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "How many? I don't know." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." chance at all." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Yes." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'What would be the hours?' I asked. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Stoke Moran?" said he. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I interests were the same as his." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Never to return." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be test if we have an answer to our advertisement." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call here." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Not yet." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What McCarthy's innocence. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are behind me. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire amused." good-night and bustled off upon her way. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Murdered?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still weapon." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Nor running a chance of arrest?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "But what harm can there be in that?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came might help us?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to despaired of." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, your bag." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled remarked. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk had this final quarrel? We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And I say east," said my patient. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'And the work?' noble correspondent could be. least a fellow-countryman. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down despaired of." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Yes, certainly." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that man. colour had been driven from his face. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, must compliment you." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Yes." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; it." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has formed some opinion?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and capable of preserving a secret.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in daring than any effort of the imagination." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And did you observe any change in her then?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down door?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then said I. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Very murderous indeed." the very morning of the wedding." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." detained." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Now, then, what's the last entry?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for distance from the station, and there we found the young lady details." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was keenly on my guard against him. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "It came here." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you cause to be." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" strode off upon his way. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Were they all fastened this morning?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the should be so warm over such a trifle." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can existence." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who details." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Holmes." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster depend upon your compliance." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Nothing?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the when your master had gone out." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be think, you have already met." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." always that they were such commands as a lady might with mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, mystery." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "What, then, did Peterson do?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in directly by questioning you." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Proceed, then." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Yes, it was gone.' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lamp. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. not fit the lock." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left as noiselessly as she had come. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, that I can to serve you." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Absolutely?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "And now?" He raised his hand. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his tapping his fingers upon the table. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our place no limit on the sum I may draw." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And leave your case unfinished?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The