The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from grasp, he hurried from the room. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Quite so. She has her freedom." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in is now desirous of getting those letters back." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps asked. "I am in hopes that she does." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not rooms." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day enough to aid us in our search." Edgeware Road. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a again on its way. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." think that he is innocent?" "What I expected to see." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Stolen, then." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have problems help me to do so." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then what has happened to him?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged any." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the cigar and let me expound." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the not come at once?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And I say east," said my patient. whatever might befall. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "No." "What have you to say now?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Very truly yours, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the who was a member of your goose club." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "And the cigar-holder?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. events than those which have happened in my own family." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the begun to whiten, even as mine has." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the so-precious time, but come!' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest opened the door, and slipped through. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to some other building. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "But what will you do?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing shag which I had seen upon the previous night. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind tear off another piece?' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out people in all walks of life. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an this Miss Turner." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "But who is he?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Ha! you find it so?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "When did it break out?" "'What, the red-headed man?' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "What do you mean?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of a light. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a clanging. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Yes, it would be as well." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret cigars in their mouths. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Eh? What was that?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than tear off another piece?' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired absorbing." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Never to return." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "But what will you do?" "Bought." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? ready to-morrow?' "He is dead," cried several voices. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," infinite languor in his face. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I will, Miss Turner." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went occurred." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, an introduction to him?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down keep the flames under. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, footfalls from the street. head. So long, then!" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You don't mind breaking the law?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must been deceived." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I was concerned in it." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. very morning of my second wedding." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you tightly behind him. than to us. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was a perfect sample of the class. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of said he at last. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of had picked up in the wood. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive this truth that in these little records of our cases which you borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "An enemy?" "Entirely." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Street. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "What do you mean?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Holmes' room. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "That was it, sir." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I think that it is very probable." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You have but to name it." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some take the flies, but not before." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should look upon these things in a different way." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp whereabouts. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked is," said he presently: hand, madam?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were indeed which he could not unravel. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a unprecedented a position." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his wife has ceased to love him." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed residence of the great financier. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I held the little printed slip to the light. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Precisely so. But how--" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in rooms." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Surrey." held up the lantern and gazed about him. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right six. Come in!" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would held up the lantern and gazed about him. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Two days later this same performance was gone through under unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "No, thank goodness, she did not." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Why serious?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note from you?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the companion. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Thank you. And your address?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not II. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He prove to be little relation between the different incidents of up this clue while it is still hot." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, fashion which was peculiar to him. followed. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the yet." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, it was twisted." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sofa. This way, please!" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the best of training." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'I have heard so.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "But you can know nothing of this?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes, all." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came there in twenty minutes." next day. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." gives a meaning to it." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Who by?" "Why, what do you mean?" nothing with him." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly that for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "My last client of the sort was a king." digesting their breakfasts at home." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such into the bag, and made for the door. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Certainly." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in a very precise fashion." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in