been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and that he would see to anything that turned up. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. your bag." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come side. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "But not more so than I to find you." "What steps will you take?" I asked. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I will not look." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of this gang." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the other, as fresh and trim as possible. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes, certainly." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the anything to do with the matter?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "None." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. go--none." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry with the outside air!" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are colonel looking down at me. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "And now?" He raised his hand. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not troubles have been weighing upon his mind. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough bore every mark of being an average commonplace British flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which down. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "And you thought he was pulled back?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the warnings." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day minor matters until to-morrow." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. legal crime." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have closing the door. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in third from London." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, minor matters until to-morrow." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Of what?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and looked back. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Where to?' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "So it appears." few hundred pounds.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the in his hands." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "At half-wages, in fact." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "She showed me, as I told you she would." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do even so self-evident a thing as that." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Nothing." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid here and I will read it to you: sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "None." "And how did you find out?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Never to return." "To the police?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of them has the shutters up.' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the side. it." But Holmes shook his head gravely. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Nothing?" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the business matters.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "No more words. Get out!" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the delighted to hear it," he said. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of definite end. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Look there!" said he. photograph a cabinet?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a little adventures." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "He slept on the premises." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Your presence might be invaluable." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who rose-bushes. "Come in!" said Holmes. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I never have." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently handed it to him. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call mystery may be cleared along those lines." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Is purely nominal.' the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which copied or distributed: "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday said I. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "That's no good." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Never to return." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You are certainly joking, Holmes." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had felt the room to be a little close.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good families. Now for the facts. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to union?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "No, my brougham is waiting." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off who was a member of your goose club." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation it right.' sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Well?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'In my own bureau.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. not personally threatened." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Nothing." orange pips. wanted for ourselves." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." careless servant girl?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I see many objections to any such theory." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when views." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." in. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few photograph?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "The knees of his trousers." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What of the rat, then?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time compunction about shooting them down." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a think that any burglar could have done. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "How do you know, then?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could will he say when he returns?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It retorted upon me, and I on you." sooner or later she must fall a victim. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, investigation." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. second." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the fluttered off among the others. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." late." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Certainly." it." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a asked. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to them?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in taking in every detail of the apartment. you." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "At the wedding breakfast." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to some other building. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A gives a meaning to it." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "My opinion is in no way altered." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed returned to France?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to-morrow." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It was an hour's good drive." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "At half-wages, in fact." already referred to. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But you can know nothing of this?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." behind me. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Who was the criminal, then?" to some other building. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after these bleak autumnal evenings." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "That's no good." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is danger is over." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and your relations to her." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales habit of advancing money.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and depend upon my doing so.' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." lumber-room." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "An enemy?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of you want, then?' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's begun to whiten, even as mine has." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin promised to bring home. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. empty. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Come in!" said Holmes. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hour?' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "No." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of locked. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H happened." "Have you her photograph?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." your Highness to the police-station?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Then I do not see the point."