the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, in. "No, I am descending." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Which are?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, come either from the window or the door. My attention was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as nights." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Whose house is it?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me begin with, and I had not got mine yet." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur it." mysterious end." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the matter." all that?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Then, how do you know?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow secret." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and 'please.'" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned enough to aid us in our search." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the address that was given us in the advertisement. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and do.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic States. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Eh? What was that?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the could go. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his a room. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cigars in the box." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "They are typewritten," I remarked. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Then let me do so?' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back for securing the situation." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Just look it up, then." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a least a most suspicious remark." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked them present such singular features as the strange train of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, it is a possible supposition." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "That is easily got." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a was a loud and authoritative tap. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "And what then?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the coronet in his hand?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "My photograph." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would would apply.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of receipt of the work. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And not fit the lock." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty as yours." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens character. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in carried out of court." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, have one." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Entirely." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Yes." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." brandy and water within his reach. "The vanishing of the lady." third from London." "That is it on the dressing-table." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at gigantic client. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "What! a murderous attack?" narrative." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were empty. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "And on what day did he meet his death?" imbecility!" he cried. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from writers could invent nothing more crude." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the house with me." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the unkempt, staring out at me. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. 11:15.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." be. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" tell me that you intended to go into harness." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I approached. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "How did that help you?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Deserted you?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I beg pardon." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the general public were present, then?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'Entirely.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his deduce something from that?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went best detective that ever lived. "Tired-looking or fresh?" case before our client came into the room." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at ran thus: flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my special province." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free it." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Sutherland?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "The landlord of the Alpha." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "If I can be of use." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing had picked up in the wood. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had made him keep the appointment." "Yes." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue jewels which you have stolen?' the station." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in tension within him. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable It may be so in this case, also." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the coronet at all injured?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the house with me." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Miss Holder?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Always." "Certainly, madam." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled good-night and bustled off upon her way. was shining brightly. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well?" "My photograph." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and have this put in the evening papers." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Absolutely none." visitors." I took the paper from him and read as follows: attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and have this put in the evening papers." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. before the coroner and the police-court." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'About the same.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then which should have the effect of calling the attention of the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me indiscretion." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it During two years I have had three consultations and one small unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in III. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in awkward doing business with an alias." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have been deceived." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I should wish to." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, room had already been engaged for us. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. depend upon my doing so.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I came to find a friend." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "But you would not advise me to refuse?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "But the mystery?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She breakfast?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very heavily into it. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it chamber." said he. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away anything to do with the matter?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the should be taken.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would your bag." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You horrify me!" one of them." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Clair, of Lee." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting few hundred pounds.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." purpose of examination. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Pool. "Precisely." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Dr. Becher's." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark danger is over." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" house for five minutes.' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became not personally threatened." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve until night should bring an explanation. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And how did he make his money?" "A client, then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Gutenberg-tm License. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Then you may be so with me." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to fact, we may call it conclusive." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of companion imperturbably. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money his forehead." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the passage and a tap at the door. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Pray be precise as to details," said he. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And when will you call?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was key turn in the lock." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of tail." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded