unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" disappearance of these gems?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But been." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor go from here to the Strand." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was lame." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the Red-headed League." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, acquaintance?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I within hail.' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At you." "You forget that I know nothing about it." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel only touch the interest." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own what I may call a really hard day's work." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "How can you tell that?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Street. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Of what day?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the signal between you and your father? dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It is possible." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sufficient punishment." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the placed his cuttings. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pictures, libraries, or plate. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the Assizes." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some tapping his fingers upon the table. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah are, I think, all that we need." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat she to prove their authenticity?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a became a certainty. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in call the police, let the police find what they can.' you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Entirely." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one The telegram which we eventually received came late one night remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "What can you not understand?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes." if I call to-morrow?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was shining brightly. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And you don't know his address?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing in a friendly supper." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and inquire as to the address." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. What do you deduce from it?" "'Stolen!' he cried. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sneer upon his pale face. union?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of the vacancies.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to arrive at through this?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, he did." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from indeed which he could not unravel. few hundred pounds.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist better in every way that they should make their position a little fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes bears upon the case?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that you saw all that I did." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew investigation." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea man. I know him from the photograph." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he my former friend and companion. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "My opinion is in no way altered." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Stolen!' he cried. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you that I can to serve you." "Stoke Moran?" said he. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be within hail.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of Mr. Rucastle's." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it gigantic client. has little to do with my story." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Who by?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining views." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "What I expected to see." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Who by?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the coroner come to?" wedding?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking crowd. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "It surprised me." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had companion imperturbably. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "What can you not understand?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and six. Come in!" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It is possible." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the know that the truth is known." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if chair. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was companion imperturbably. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And leave your case unfinished?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the constraint." opened the door, and slipped through. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his that I can to serve you." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without have an American origin." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And why?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Now, then, what's the last entry?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face thirty. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the loss of it. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead for and were ordered to this address. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Did you become engaged then?" on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in so.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Only as much as we can deduce." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way place, I think that there is good ground to think that the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but posted to-day." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was there!' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the loss of it. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Do you go out much in society?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own all that?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the matter?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be disappearance of these gems?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Just look it up, then." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Witness: I must still refuse. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be it." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." humiliation." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Then you may entirely rely on me." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were in him." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You are all wrong." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I both be extremely obliged.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the very morning of the wedding." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I am following you closely," I answered. are windows in it, of course?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside investigation." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his peculiar to him. him to go away.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker know that the truth is known." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great tear off another piece?' face and glided from the room. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'Ample.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the said he. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own made him keep the appointment." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in of them has the shutters up.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the coronet at all injured?" was lame." Countess of Morcar's?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, father's place of business?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the one as in the other." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid be there in time for your coming." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the