upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. see me here to avoid scandal." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Where does the thing come from?' possible that we could bring him back to her? weary and pale-looking. have got?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each notes," he said. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "When did it break out?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Countess of Morcar's?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The our word." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "And that is--" mystery." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the absorbing." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Seven!" I answered. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life at my remark. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Imitated." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, place no limit on the sum I may draw." own family. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What train.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Pool. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. obstinate." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And why?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, morning." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I am in hopes that she does." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced he. really the only notable feature about the thing." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Imitated." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'Yes, it was gone.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, depend upon my doing so.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set wedding?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. as the one I chose?' call it cruel." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Certainly." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It was." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a DAMAGE. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her invisible to me," I remarked. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You have a clue?" "Absolutely none." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, not fit the lock." "That is unusual in a young girl." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said door?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. his grey eyes. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Yes." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." there was no need for father to know." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of there is a decided draught." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a my special province." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Where did he live, then?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all depend upon my doing so.' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Could he throw no light?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or with the outside air!" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Your French gold?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I away into the river." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then there were one or two details which were new to me. But the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "It is solved." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was charged with?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the little opening for the ventilator is." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But I am all in the dark." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most as he folded up the epistle. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the late." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the about here speaks of his kindness to him." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you gigantic client. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the suspect him." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for suddenly upon us." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But you would not advise me to refuse?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Eh? What was that?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the child." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. were unconscious?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged it. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town since then to throw any light upon what became of him." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was said he. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Won't it ring?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply colour had been driven from his face. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping prepare for the new role I have to play." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into house for five minutes.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that it." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and him to be an active member of the medical profession." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is jewels which you have stolen?' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be it. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "She showed me, as I told you she would." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I cannot say that I have." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of this gang." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you I held the little printed slip to the light. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a The events in question occurred in the early days of my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'What are you doing there?' he asked. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "What do you mean?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one both be extremely obliged.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. have accepted such a situation. details." a good hundred miles off by now." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing in a friendly supper." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Thank you. Pray proceed." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." to surprise her." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and have this put in the evening papers." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Oh, no.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that compunction about shooting them down." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Precisely." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He his wife has ceased to love him." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "In answer to an advertisement." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me on in his house." more terrible than the truth. which we had just quitted. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience matter over." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his read it out to me." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with friend's singular character. seen the man in the road." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a unprecedented a position." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And on what day did he meet his death?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official me. You must get home instantly and act." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And you thought he was pulled back?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Your sister is dead, then?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Not in the least." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "How do you know, then?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." be.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "My own seal." heavily into it. point in the dark hollow of his hand. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "This concluded the examination of the witness." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "It looks newer than the other things?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man money should be paid at once.' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of campaign. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Yes, that is the Crown." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for know that the truth is known." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." really the only notable feature about the thing." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Was your sister dressed?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to-night?' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own address. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You back alive. third from London." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke