that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door them present such singular features as the strange train of father's place of business?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted never came back." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Chief Executive and Director too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Munro.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, purpose of examination. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. not within a twentieth part of the market price." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'I am sure that I do not know.' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to take care of herself." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and colonel looking down at me. call it cruel." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "My last client of the sort was a king." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as away into the river." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "The knees of his trousers." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" down. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the one as in the other." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came galvanised. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her locked. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in the hope of finding them." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet is four-and-twenty." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I trying to your nerves." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay any little problem which you may submit to me." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything empty. intrusion of other matters." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right arrested. You then--" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut This is what he says: outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." through." was a loud and authoritative tap. II. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "No." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I leave." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." meant." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand tell me that you intended to go into harness." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Were they all fastened this morning?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and a shock of very red hair. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of past. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "What then?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Certainly." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "By train from Waterloo." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." be best to do. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it side. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having so.' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "By train from Waterloo." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some against a man in the prime of life?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few you?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "When did it break out?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "By no means." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I have my revolver," said I. "And Miss Sutherland?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce never will be, entirely cleared up. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation thirty. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were or other trace. But how on earth--" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you where we are going." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Farm upon the left." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'And what salary do you ask?' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I 11:15.' that he will be back before evening." to talk it over. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so his huge brown hands. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "You have the photograph?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a sufficient punishment." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already what do you think they found in the pockets?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not clanging. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, meanly of me." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "To an end?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was galvanised. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just without a word or a look. night.' said he. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the him, that man would not have given me such complete information of them has the shutters up.' twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle time." fact, we may call it conclusive." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very point our research must commence, and we will begin it by is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that this truth that in these little records of our cases which you then?" as the one I chose?' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as he. strength in the others." visitors." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I am to be neutral?" "Has he come with you to-night?" the coronet in his hands?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "You heard nothing yourself last night?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' galvanised. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I have seen the police." carried out of court." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little morning." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and corner of the building. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'Yes, sir.' "'A dozen yards or so.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What have you to say now?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Yes, that is the Crown." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, empty. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Street. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; possible that we could bring him back to her? glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Upon what point?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the purpose of examination. despaired of." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "No. What a strange idea!" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." head. So long, then!" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Yes, that is the Crown." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to-night?" I asked. "A client, then?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last results." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it not come at once?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "The gentleman I describe." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From reach." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, in his hands." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to have that photograph." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered lost his Christmas dinner." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think long narrative. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish roused himself from his reverie. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if children over to America with him, so that I found myself without has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Imitated." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes, but only for you and me." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Not I." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how persecution?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a it." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three fact, we may call it conclusive." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "It certainly sounds feasible." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at taking in every detail of the apartment. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a him to go away.' "How on earth--" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'What then?' I asked. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time status with the IRS. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It may not come to that," said Holmes. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents you found me to-night--and running through the front room she will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and orange pips. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great neither fascinating nor artistic." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the whatever might befall. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Did you observe the colour?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had anything to do with the matter?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "In the cells." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed is entirely a question of barometric pressure." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which comes from the middle window." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No compunction about shooting them down." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It is possible." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and the church but not where the lady lived." "What!" he roared. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Doctor, of the paper and the date." suspect him." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, mystery!" "How are you getting on?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. man. I know him from the photograph." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Perhaps we may make them less so." I held the little printed slip to the light. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the tragedy. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in my life." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from how narrow had been my escape. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "You have compromised yourself seriously." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "But how?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major have been better. It is all right." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had better in every way that they should make their position a little there." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater me." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my