have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You think so, too?" "Quite so." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "An accident, I presume?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, whatever might befall. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock outsides of the windows. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. some city in a dream. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the might help us?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist sufficient punishment." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." any." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew cup of tea. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged over part of the map. "What do you read?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or bird of prey. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it foot. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "That also I could fathom." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light answer." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as just ask you whether you had heard it.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, see me here to avoid scandal." nonsense.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "When did it break out?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I will not look." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had companion imperturbably. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes, from Horsham." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." giving me time to thank him. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "What is it, then--a fire?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of before, for it was considerably after midnight. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of gigantic client. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods assist you in forming an opinion." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a so far?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And the cigar-holder?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "A greater distance to travel." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, that, and I came down." "How did you deduce the select?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ways of our fellow-men." "I fear not." extraordinary contortions. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he conclusions. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "How are you getting on?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Has he come with you to-night?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Do you go out much in society?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of his shoulders. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their touch that coronet?' married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "To an English lawyer named Norton." know all about it," he snarled. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, problems help me to do so." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud your sleep?' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Sholtos." "On your arm?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I should like to see him very much." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'And the work?' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "That's no good." enough to aid us in our search." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" him nearly every evening." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the had this final quarrel? the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "And you thought he was pulled back?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. straighten it?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Again Holmes raved in the air. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the inner apartment." 1.E.9. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes, there are nearly always some there." four million human beings all jostling each other within the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Breckinridge is his name." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left events, Mr. Windibank!" chair. affection." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All voice. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Won't it ring?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'You cannot say what it was?' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we at once, for I have only half an hour." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and that he would see to anything that turned up. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. approach us with offers to donate. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of receipt of the work. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I never have." "How did that help you?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the burst out into a roar of laughter. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I bill, which interests me deeply." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a name is different." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. You want to know what became of those geese?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I will try. What is it?" it. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "So it appears." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too his grey eyes. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to surprise her." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as public press." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive at home. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It families. Now for the facts. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I have a cab outside." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of Fenchurch Street." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed questionable one." "One of his hands." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant DISSOLVED. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Did your wife hear all this?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation open." "No." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'What are you doing there?' he asked. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and read over the extraordinary announcement. examine." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case heavily into it. power." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible asked. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I cannot imagine." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I shall most certainly do so." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or results." do." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "And how have you succeeded?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his call you and give you the chance." you understand?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "And Irene Adler?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but light and attacked it." the window, rose as we entered. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I cannot think." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge me upon any point which I do not make clear." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so ways including including checks, online payments and credit card at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, it." "Oh, fresh and glossy." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. I was concerned in it." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." least a most suspicious remark." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I this poor creature." then?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the warnings." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "He is still with you, I presume?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "And how?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure."